Former Chelsea Defender William Gallas Admits: “You Do Need Success Right Away at This Club” – Warns of Manchester United-Style Decline Without Immediate Trophies

William Gallas, the former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur defender, has openly acknowledged the intense pressure for immediate success at Stamford Bridge, emphasizing that big clubs like Chelsea cannot afford prolonged periods without silverware.

In recent interviews, the 47-year-old Frenchman, who made over 150 appearances for Chelsea between 2001 and 2006 and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho, reflected on the realities of life at a club with sky-high expectations. Gallas stressed that the modern demands at Chelsea make quick results essential, particularly under the current ownership structure.

“Speaking as a former player, especially for a big club like Chelsea, you do need success right away,” Gallas stated. “But now everybody says you need time to build... For me, at a club like Chelsea, you need success straight away.”

Gallas’s comments come amid a challenging 2025/26 season for Enzo Maresca’s side, where despite some promising performances, the team has faced inconsistency in the Premier League and questions over long-term direction. He drew a direct parallel with Manchester United’s recent struggles, cautioning that without trophies soon, Chelsea risk becoming “toothless” and losing their competitive edge in English and European football.

The ex-France international, capped 120 times for his country, discussed managerial options while highlighting the club’s unpredictable situation. He suggested that while a young coach like Cesc Fabregas could suit a long-term rebuild given his work with a youthful squad, short-term ambitions demand an experienced, strong personality such as Diego Simeone to deliver immediate results.

“With Chelsea’s owners, anything can happen. Nobody knows what is going to happen at the end of the season,” Gallas added. “If you are thinking about the short-term, to have success straight away, they need that experienced head to guide them like Diego Simeone and with his personality he can win things very soon with Chelsea.”

Gallas’s insights underscore the unique pressures at Chelsea since the 2022 takeover, where multiple managerial changes and heavy investment in young talent have yet to yield consistent major trophies. His experience as a key figure in Chelsea’s successful early 2000s era provides a valuable perspective on the club’s winning culture.

Five Chelsea players have been nominated for a place in the EA Sports FC26 Premier League Team of the Season

 Five Chelsea players have been nominated for a place in the EA Sports FC26 Premier League Team of the Season – and supporters can help the Blues secure their place now!

Our top-flight campaign – which has seven games remaining - has delivered several memorable moments, including an impressive victory at West Ham, Estevao Willian's last-gasp winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and another three points taken at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The efforts of five Chelsea players have been reflected in their inclusion in the Team of the Season vote, which will close on Friday, 10 April at 5pm (UK time). Blues supporters can click here to vote now!

Reece James is among those nominated – the Blues captain has made 27 Premier League appearances this term and contributed two goals and four assists from several positions.

Fellow full-back Marc Cucurella has also been shortlisted; he has featured 27 times in the top flight this season, too.

Midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been consistent presences in the side this term and are included among the nominees, as is Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, who has enjoyed an impressive first campaign at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian, signed from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer, has been a reliable threat, scoring 14 goals and claiming five assists in his 31 Premier League appearances this term.

Chelsea supporters can ensure the Blues' quintet make the Premier League Team of the Season by casting their vote now. Click here to decide the final XI!

Source:  Chelsea fc

Chelsea FC Lead Race for PSG Striker Gonçalo Ramos as Summer Transfer Window Heats Up

London, April 2026 – Chelsea Football Club have emerged as frontrunners in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos, according to multiple reports from reliable sources close to the negotiations. The 24-year-old Portuguese international is widely expected to depart the Ligue 1 champions this summer in search of regular first-team football, with Chelsea prepared to table a substantial bid of up to €70 million.21

Ramos joined PSG from Benfica in a high-profile transfer worth around €65-80 million in early 2024 but has struggled to secure a consistent starting role under manager Luis Enrique, often finding himself behind established stars in the attacking pecking order. Despite contributing goals in domestic and European competitions—including notable performances in the Champions League—the forward is understood to be eager for a fresh challenge where he can be a focal point of the attack. Sources indicate that Ramos and his representatives have actively signaled openness to a move to the Premier League.22

TEAMtalk and other outlets report that Chelsea have already made direct contact regarding a potential deal, positioning themselves ahead of rivals including Newcastle United. Both Premier League clubs have long admired the Benfica academy graduate, having tracked him prior to his move to Paris. Chelsea’s interest aligns with their strategy of investing in young, high-potential talents capable of immediate impact and long-term growth under the current recruitment model.13

A senior source familiar with the talks told TEAMtalk: “Ramos is ready to leave PSG this summer. A move to England is a very realistic option, and clubs like Chelsea have positioned themselves well.” Additional interest has been noted from clubs across Europe, including AC Milan, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, but the Premier League appeal—coupled with Chelsea’s proactive approach—appears to give the Blues the edge at this stage.15

Player Profile and Tactical Fit

Gonçalo Ramos, capped multiple times for Portugal, is renowned for his clinical finishing, aerial ability, intelligent movement inside the box, and work rate off the ball. Standing at approximately 1.85m, he offers a strong physical presence as a central striker while possessing the technical quality to link play and drift into wider areas when needed. His goal-scoring record at Benfica, where he consistently delivered double-digit league tallies, marked him as one of Europe’s brightest young forwards before the big-money move to PSG.

For Chelsea, who have been assessing options to bolster their forward line amid squad evolution, Ramos represents a versatile addition who could complement existing attackers and provide depth or competition for places. His age profile fits the club’s preference for players with resale value and development upside.

Financial Details and Timeline

Reports suggest Chelsea could offer up to €70 million to secure the deal, a figure that reflects Ramos’s remaining potential despite limited starts in Paris. PSG are expected to seek a fee that recoups a significant portion of their investment, though they are open to sales of squad players this summer to manage their roster. Negotiations are in early stages, with personal terms likely to be straightforward given Ramos’s desire for more minutes.12

Any transfer would be subject to standard medicals, personal agreements, and regulatory approvals. The summer 2026 transfer window remains the focal point, with further developments anticipated in the coming weeks as clubs finalize their plans post the current season.

Chelsea fans and observers will be watching closely as the club continues to refine its squad under the guidance of the sporting director and manager. This potential signing could signal a renewed focus on proven goal threats in the Premier League.

This is a developing story based on reports from TEAMtalk, Football Transfers, and other outlets. Chelsea FC and PSG have not issued official comments at the time of publication.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek Poised for Potential Premier League Return as Recovery Progresses

AC Milan confirms that midfielder **Ruben Loftus-Cheek** is making excellent progress in his recovery from a facial injury sustained in February and is approaching full fitness. With the Englishman now nearing a return to competitive action, speculation has intensified regarding a possible return to the Premier League in the coming transfer windows.

Loftus-Cheek, who joined AC Milan from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 on a contract until June 2027, has been an important squad member for the Rossoneri. The 30-year-old has featured regularly in Serie A and European competitions this season prior to his injury, contributing 3 goals and 1 assist in 28 appearances across all competitions.

The former Chelsea academy graduate suffered a significant jaw fracture after a collision during a league match against Parma in late February. Following successful surgery, he has followed a structured rehabilitation programme at Milanello and is expected to be available for selection again in the coming weeks.

Speaking on the player’s situation, AC Milan head coach **Max Allegri** commented: “Ruben is a professional of the highest level. He has worked extremely hard during his recovery, and we are all delighted with how he is progressing. He is a key part of our squad, brings leadership and physical presence to the midfield, and we look forward to having him back on the pitch soon.”

Despite ongoing talks regarding a contract extension with AC Milan, Loftus-Cheek has been the subject of interest from several Premier League clubs. Reports in England have linked the midfielder with a potential move back to his native league, where he previously made over 150 appearances for Chelsea and enjoyed successful loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham. His strong performances for Milan and continued involvement with the England national team have reportedly attracted attention from clubs seeking experienced, physically robust central midfield options ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Loftus-Cheek himself has previously addressed the rumours, stating his focus remains on performing for Milan while keeping all options open for the future. “I love being at Milan and I’m happy here,” he noted in a recent interview. “But I also know the Premier League well – it’s where I grew up as a player. For now, my full concentration is on getting back fit and helping the team.”

AC Milan will continue to manage Loftus-Cheek’s return carefully, with the player expected to feature in training sessions with increasing intensity over the next 10–14 days. The club respects the player’s ambitions and will handle any potential transfer interest professionally and in line with the player’s best interests and contractual obligations.

Further updates on Ruben’s fitness and availability will be provided through official club channels in due course.

Cole Palmer on ‘turning a corner’ and the need for a perfect week

 Cole Palmer believes preparation will be pivotal if the Blues are to secure a positive result against his former club, Manchester City, on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior's side returned to action after the international break with a convincing 7-0 victory against Port Vale in the FA Cup, and now our attention switches back to the Premier League and the visit of second-placed City.

Finishing in a Champions League position remains our target, while Pep Guardiola’s side still harbour ambitions of taking the title off long-time leaders Arsenal.

Our No.10, who captained Chelsea for the first time in our FA Cup victory, knows just how important the top-flight fixture is to both sides.

‘The gaffer has said it needs to be a perfect week; everyone needs to be on it,’ stressed Palmer.

'Every time you win, it’s nice. Losing those four games was not good and it’s fair to say that confidence was down. It’s natural for it to go down. But the win [against Port Vale] meant everyone was happy and now we’ve got a clear week and we need to have a good game on Sunday.

‘We’re looking forward to it – it should be a good one.’

Chelsea’s chances of finishing the season on a high will no doubt be improved if Palmer is at his best.

And Saturday’s stand-in skipper is confident he can reach those heights in the final few weeks of the campaign.

‘I feel good,’ he said. ‘I feel I’ve turned a corner. Physically, I feel good now, I can shoot again, do everything again. Now it’s a case of kicking on and performing.’

Chelsea FC Prepares for Premier League Showdown Against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea is gearing up for a highly anticipated Premier League encounter as we welcome **Manchester City** to Stamford Bridge on **Sunday, 12 April 2026**.

Kick-off for the Matchweek 32 fixture is scheduled for **16:30 BST**. The match will see two of English football’s most competitive sides go head-to-head in front of a passionate home crowd at our historic stadium.

Head coach **Liam Rosenior** and his squad are focused on delivering a strong performance as Chelsea look to build momentum in the run-in to the 2025/26 season. This home fixture against the reigning Premier League champions represents a significant test of our progress and ambition under Rosenior’s leadership.

Speaking ahead of the game, Rosenior said: “Manchester City are a world-class team with exceptional quality throughout the squad. Playing them at Stamford Bridge gives us a great platform to show what we’re about. The fans create an incredible atmosphere here, and we’re determined to put in a performance that makes them proud. We’ve been working hard on our principles, and this is another opportunity to implement them against top opposition.”

The Blues come into the fixture buoyed by recent results, including a dominant 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale. While the squad continues to manage a couple of internal matters, including the short-term suspension of vice-captain Enzo Fernández, the group remains united and focused on the collective goal of securing a positive result against City.

Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, arrive at Stamford Bridge with their trademark attacking style and depth. Recent meetings between the two clubs have produced competitive and entertaining football, including a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier in 2026.

Tickets for the match are in high demand, and supporters are reminded to arrive early due to potential travel disruptions. On matchday, the District Line will be closed west of Embankment Station and on the Edgware Road branch, meaning Fulham Broadway Station will be closed all day. Fans are encouraged to check official travel updates and plan their journeys accordingly.

Chelsea FC extends a warm welcome to all visiting Manchester City supporters and asks for mutual respect to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

The club will provide further team news, including any injury updates, closer to matchday through official channels. Supporters can follow live coverage, build-up, and post-match reaction on Chelsea TV, the official website, and our social media platforms.

This fixture forms part of a demanding April schedule, and every point earned at home will be crucial as we push for our objectives in the Premier League.

Chelsea vs Leeds: An epic FA Cup rivalry resumes

 This season's FA Cup semi-final draw has rekindled a rivalry born out of one of the competition's most famous ties. We take a look back at the origins and history of Chelsea versus Leeds United, explaining why there is no love lost when west London faces west Yorkshire on the pitch.

Rivalries don't always have to be local. The one between Chelsea and Leeds has ebbed and flowed over the years during the two club's differing fortunes, despite geography, but was born in the heat of an FA Cup tie at Wembley. Club historian Rick Glanvill provides a timeline of how a mutual dislike evolved over three quarters of a century.

From cities separated by 200 miles of motorway, Chelsea and Leeds forged their enmity in the mid-Sixties, when the north-south divide, vividly played out in newspaper comments, small-screen documentaries and socially aware films, seemed a chasm.

Much of it was lazy stereotyping, but Leeds were in fact largely comprised of northerners, while the bulk of Chelsea’s squad were southerners. More to the point, the Whites team relaxed by playing bingo together, while the Blues were the playboys of the West End’s nightspots. The contrast was perfect fodder for football pages too.

At the peak of their enmity, The Times’ Geoffrey Green wrote: ‘When Leeds win it is a matter of statistics, when they are beaten it is news, and when Chelsea do it to them it is good news for all those who live within the bright purlieus of the King’s Road.’

This was a contempt bred by familiarity, with all-or-nothing knockout matches and league clashes that were meaningful in the title chase. The macho culture in the two camps meant ferocity became the essence of most encounters. Capable of moments of beauty, they were not averse to leaving a scar.

Goal-scoring opportunities could be rare and often the product of mistakes as opposed to brilliance. All of this toe-to-toe malevolence famously reached its peak in the 1970 FA Cup final games, and lingered for years despite going our separate ways.

In the 16 years after Leeds suffered the drop to the Championship in 2004, there was only one meeting, and in May 2010, 44 clubs separated the Premier League champions from the League One runners-up.

Yet absence did not make hearts grow fonder. The historic rivalry still endures in vestige form with old chants at the other’s expense regularly sung at Stamford Bridge and Elland Road, until Leeds' return to the top flight brought the clubs back together on the pitch in the Premier League and now the FA Cup.

30 April 1963 - Chelsea 2 Leeds 2 (Division Two) / 23 January 1965 - Leeds 2 Chelsea 2 (Division One)

The story really begins with a quest for the same honours in two divisions and at the other’s expense. In late 1963 the pair – Tommy Docherty’s Chelsea and a Leeds team stewarded by Don Revie – met as Division Two promotion hopefuls. The Blues were second and the Whites fourth, needing to win.

The game went this way and that before settling on a draw that eventually meant the Londoners returned to the top flight, while Leeds’ elevation was postponed, albeit only for a year, as it turned out.

Both were great teams and widely hailed as outstanding additions to Division One, which is now effectively the Premier League.

Reunited at the same level, they resumed a chase for the same honours that would last half a decade – the crucible of venomous rivalry.

They met as the top tier’s top two teams in winter 1965. Freezing conditions prompted both sets of players to change their studs to leather ones with nails in, and many hobbled away from a rough-and-tumble score draw with blood on their ripped socks.

The final table of 1964/65 would show the battling duo as the finest teams in the league behind champions Manchester United. Yet John Hollins remembered walking off the Elland Road pitch thinking how 'dirty' Leeds were and that he could not 'wait till we get you back to our place.’

12 February 1966 - Chelsea 1 Leeds 0 (FA Cup round four) / 29 April 1967 - Chelsea 1 Leeds 0 (FA Cup semi-final)

The best teams in the country invariably end up playing each other more regularly because they meet in knockout competitions in front of big crowds. And no one likes those who repeatedly end their aspirations.

The first of what was to be six cup encounters over five years came in round four of the FA Cup in front of a shade below 60,000 at the Bridge.

An early Bobby Tambling goal settled the tie, but in bookings it finished 1-1: John Boyle for the hosts and fellow Scot Billy Bremner for the visitors. Like John Giles, Bremner was a talented midfielder who was happy to serve up some retribution too. By now, Chelsea had left-back Eddie McCreadie and Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris. No one was going to back down.

The following season it was the FA Cup semi-final draw that brought the teams together at Villa Park. Again the Blues were 1-0 victors, though a sprinkling of controversy added spice to the rivalry.

A late Peter Lorimer free-kick seemed certain to salvage Leeds’ Wembley bid, until referee Ken Burns ruled it had been taken too quickly, and disallowed the equaliser. Revie was probably still angry about that decision three years later to the day, when the epic rivalry would reach its climax in this competition.

20 September 1969 - Leeds 2 Chelsea 0 (Division One) / 24 September 1969 - Leeds 1 Chelsea 1 (League Cup round three) / 6 October 1969 - Chelsea 2 Leeds 0 (League Cup round three replay)

An intense three clashes over just 17 days included the third and fourth knock-out meetings between the pair in just four seasons. By now Dave Sexton had succeeded Docherty, and as studious a tactician he was, this son of a prizefighter knew the importance of steel in defence.

With new men John Dempsey and David Webb at their heart, the Blues had taken three points from a possible four off Leeds the previous season. ‘They proved that these days they are nobody’s pushover,’ one reporter enthused. Games between the two were marked by fraying tempers, the whistle constantly blowing, and names going in books. Lorimer would later remark that Chelsea ‘kicked everything above grass’.

And as if regular clashes in the FA Cup were not enough, along came the League Cup. The drawn first game was described as the ‘Almighty clash of brute force,’ with injuries on both sides.

Chelsea won the replay at the Bridge conclusively. ‘More heartening for football,’ reckoned The Mirror’s Ken Jones, ‘was the fact that this match was empty of the malice shown in previous meetings between these teams this season.’

11 April 1970 - Chelsea 2 Leeds 2 (FA Cup final) / 29 April 1970 - Chelsea 2 Leeds 1 (FA Cup final replay)

Don Revie had publicly avowed the FA Cup was the league champions’ number one priority, ‘in order to wipe out the embarrassing memory of our flop in the final four years ago.’

The Leeds boss also said before the season started that teams from the south were too soft to succeed. He looked prophetic when the Yorkshiremen won 5-2 at the Bridge towards the close of the league season.

Usually, though, Chelsea were wise to their bullying tactics and habit of surrounding referees to force a decision in their favour.

‘They didn’t intimidate us,’ Peter Osgood was fond of saying. ‘That’s why they hated us.’ There was, he said in his autobiography, ‘Ossie’, ‘no other club on the planet we would enjoy beating so much.’

The two clubs would collide again in the much-anticipated 1970 FA Cup final, producing a record British television audience eager to see how the animosity and clash of cultures would manifest itself in the only live game of the English season.

The brutality of the final at Wembley and replay at Old Trafford is legendary. Referees have reviewed the leniency of man in black Hugh Jennings and puzzled why he did not produce a handful of red cards. There were snide follow-throughs, studs-up challenges, and even the odd chase and kick up the backside.

‘At times,’ Hugh McIlvanney famously reported, ‘it appeared that Mr Jennings would give a free-kick only on production of a death certificate.’ An error-strewn 2-2 at the national stadium was followed by an incredibly dramatic night at Old Trafford.

Leeds took the lead and managed to nobble the heroic Peter Bonetti. But once Charlie Cooke had fed Osgood’s diving header, the Yorkshire grit seemed to crumble.

Dave Webb’s header won Chelsea’s first FA Cup and was another dagger to the heart of Revie and co. With 28.49 million watching in the UK and countless others viewing worldwide, it was a night neither club could ever forget, engraving the animosity onto football’s family silver.

28 April 1984 - Chelsea 5 Leeds 0 (Division Two)

Time had passed and the memories of 1970 stayed strong. But the titans of the epic clash almost exactly 14 years earlier were now in the second tier and this was not an even contest.

Chelsea thrashed the mid-table Yorkshiremen 5-0 to set up a promotion party, with Paul Canoville, a boyhood fan of the visitors, adding the fifth and prompting a pitch invasion. Leeds’ sole contribution came from their embarrassed fans, who trashed the north end’s new electric scoreboard.

13 December 1997 - Chelsea 0 Leeds 0 (Premier League) / 8 April 1998 - Leeds 3 Chelsea 1 (Premier League)

‘When two tribes go to war,’ Frankie Goes To Hollywood once observed, ‘a point is all that you can score.’ So it proved in December 1997, when former Blue George Graham saw two of his Leeds players sent off by Graham Poll, then blunted it out to secure a 0-0 draw.

By the time the midweek reverse fixture at Elland Road came around the Blues were distracted by the prospect of a European Cup Winners’ Cup final, with a semi-final second leg to come.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was in venomous form, and the hosts led 3-1 soon after the break. Despite that loss, Gianluca Vialli’s Blues finished a creditable fourth – one above the Whites – and beat Stuttgart in the European final to soften the blow of losing to our rivals.

5 May 1999 - Chelsea 1 Leeds 0 (Premier League)

Hasselbaink’s presence in the royal blue ranks added another grievance to the heritage of this fixture, with Leeds fans keen to allege their former favourite had quit solely for personal gain.

The striker actually arrived a few months after this game via Atletico Madrid – no player has transferred directly from Elland Road to Stamford Bridge.

This was effectively a play-off for the Champions League, with fourth-placed Leeds needing to chip away some of the five-point advantage held by Gianluca Vialli’s team. Gustavo Poyet scored the only goal and third place was ours.

‘It didn’t take a rocket scientist to pick out which three teams would be up there,’ Leeds boss David O’Leary conceded in the aftermath, ‘but we’ve won the “other” league.’

For Chelsea a first ever qualifying round place was 44 years overdue: the Football League forced the Ted Drake’s champions not to enter the inaugural competition in 1955

15 May 2004 - Chelsea 1 Leeds 0 (Premier League)

Chelsea’s fanbase had been robbed of the morbid pleasure of ‘putting Leeds down’ by a 4-1 defeat for the old enemy at Bolton, and this was an oddly passionless affair. Jesper Gronkjaer met Glen Johnson’s cross with a header that proved the winner.

The result would make this a sliding-doors moment in the clubs’ relationship. The concluding game of Roman Abramovich’s first season as Chelsea owner was Claudio Ranieri’s last as coach, and the pride of Yorkshire bade farewell to the big time with talk of more than £103m debt ringing in their ears. ‘If it wasn’t for the Russian you’d be us,’ chanted their defiant supporters at the Bridge.

Since 1997 Leeds had gambled tens of millions on ‘living the dream’. That was now to give way to ‘doing a Leeds’: shorthand for spiralling down the league after relegation.

Chelsea, meanwhile, brought in Jose Mourinho as coach and won back-to-back Premier League titles.

19 Dec 2012 - Leeds 1 Chelsea 5 (League Cup round five)

Like an old flame from a troubled relationship, Leeds, swinging between Championship and League One, popped up in the latter stages of the League Cup in 2012.

Since the heyday of the wild affair Ken Bates, the Blues’ former chairman, had taken over at Elland Road, providing a sideshow to the main event. The old songs were sung, the atmosphere was spicy, but the hatred had gone.

Leading 1-0 at half-time, the Whites were sunk with a five-goal cannonade after the break. It felt like a throwback to an age that had passed but eight years later, the rivalry would start up all again in the Premier League.

2020-onwards

After Leeds United were promoted back to the top flight for the 2020/21 season, two clashes behind closed doors followed. A 3-1 win at the Bridge preceded a 0-0 draw at Elland Road, the games seeing a reunion on the touchline between old 'Spygate' managerial foes Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa.

But perhaps the best modern meeting between the two came in late 2021, as new life was breathed into the rivalry between the two clubs during a five-goal classic.

Mason Mount and Jorginho's goals had cancelled out an early Leeds penalty to put us on course for the win. But the visitors' substitute Joe Gelhardt beat Edouard Mendy with only seven minutes left on the clock.

Enter Jorghino to save the day. A last-gasp foul on Antonio Rudiger gave the Italian a second penalty of the day, he didn't miss and Leeds had to make the long journey back up to Yorkshire without a point.

The two sides again faced off again in 2022/23. Leeds won 3-0 at Elland Road in August, before a Wesley Fofana goal secured the Blues a 1-0 win at the Bridge in March, as our old foes went on to be relegated at the end of the season.

There was to be more drama when we met again in the FA Cup in 2024, this time in the fifth round.

Mateo Joseph had given the hosts an early lead before goals from Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk turned the tie around. However, Joseph's second looked set to set the game to extra-time before Conor Gallagher popped up in the second minute of injury-time to fire us into the quarter-finals.

With Leeds now back in the Premier League, we have played out two matches in the rivalry already this season, but they have both been painful encounters for the Blues. Pedro Neto's goal wasn't enough to spark a come-back when we lost 3-1 at Elland Road at the start of December. When Leeds came to the Bridge in February it started well, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer giving us the lead, but the visitors fought back for a 2-2 draw.

Hopefully it will be third time lucky when we meet again at Wembley later this month.

Source: Chelsea fc

Chelsea have been drawn to play Manchester City in the semi-finals of this season's Women's FA Cup.

 The Blues booked our place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Kingsmeadow on Easter Monday.

We took the lead when Sam Kerr headed in from a Keira Walsh cross, but Spurs fought back courtesy of an excellent free-kick from Evaliina Summanen. As the tie looked like it may be heading for extra time, 19-year-old defender Veerle Buurman netted a stunning winner to put us in the last four.

The semi-final draw took place before the quarter-final tie between Birmingham City and Manchester City kicked off at St Andrew's on Monday afternoon.

And the Blues, six-time Women's FA Cup winners, were drawn at home against the winner of that game, later confirmed as Man City following their 1-0 victory.

Our semi-final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 10 May 2026.

Women's FA Cup semi-final draw in full: 

Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea vs Manchester City

Training gallery: Back to work on Easter Monday

 Most of the UK might have had their feet up on a day off for the bank holiday, but there was no rest for the Blues as they returned to the training pitch at a sunny Cobham.

Spirits were high among the Chelsea players following Saturday's 7-0 thrashing of Port Vale at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup quarter-finals, when Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho all got their names on the score sheet.

That sets up a mouth-watering semi-final at Wembley against old cup rivals Leeds United, but next on the Blues' agenda is a big Premier League fixture in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification, when Manchester City come to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

With a full week to work ahead of that massive game, Liam Rosenior and his squad kicked off their preparations in Surrey on Monday, getting under way in the bright spring weather on the last day of the Easter bank holiday.

We have picked out a selection of the best images from today's session at Cobham below...

Andrey Santos: Playing at Wembley would be a dream

 Andrey Santos is looking forward to the opportunity to compete at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup semi-finals after Chelsea booked our place in the last four of the competition with a big win on Saturday.

The Blues brushed Port Vale aside at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals, with Santos joined on the score sheet by fellow Brazilians Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian, as well as Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo and Alejandro Garnacho.

That, along with Sunday’s draw for the next round, teed up an enticing semi-final against old FA Cup rivals Leeds United at Wembley, a prospect which already has our midfielder excited.

‘For me, it is a dream,’ said Santos. ‘I have played at Maracana, now I have the chance to play at Wembley. I am very happy and I hope we can do our job and win the game there.’

Reflecting on Saturday’s win, the 21-year-old was pleased with our emphatic win over League One opposition, but knows tougher challenges await the Blues.

Among them is our next match, a difficult Premier League encounter with Manchester City at the Bridge, but one which could prove crucial in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

‘I’m very happy with our performance, it was a big win and a good performance,’ he continued. ‘Now we have to move on and recover well, because next week we have another big game.

Now we have to work hard because next week we have a very important home game against Manchester City, and we will have to focus on ourselves and do our job. That is the most important thing for us.’

That need for focus means the players putting other concerns – including the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer – out of their minds, to give everything in pursuit of a successful conclusion to Chelsea’s season.

‘An ambition for many players is to be in the World Cup with their national team – it’s the same for me,' Andrey concluded. 'But I know that first I have to work very hard here at Chelsea to help us achieve our targets.’

Chelsea Players Make Special Request to Head Coach Liam Rosenior Ahead of Manchester City Clash

Chelsea  acknowledges reports that several senior players have approached head coach **Liam Rosenior** with a special request regarding the availability of midfielder **Enzo Fernández** for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

In a demonstration of dressing room solidarity, a number of the squad’s established players have urged the coaching staff to reconsider the current two-match internal suspension placed on Fernández, highlighting his importance to the team as they prepare for one of the most challenging matches of the season at the Etihad Stadium.

The request stems from the players’ belief that the Argentina international remains a vital figure in the squad, both for his on-pitch quality and his influence within the group. Fernández, who serves as vice-captain, has been a key performer since joining the club and continues to be highly valued by his teammates.

Head coach Liam Rosenior, speaking previously after Chelsea’s 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale (a match Fernández watched from the stands), confirmed that the suspension was a collective club decision made to uphold team standards and culture following comments the midfielder made during the international break.

Rosenior has maintained an open and positive dialogue with Fernández throughout the situation, describing him as a “top, top guy” and emphasising that the “door is not closed.” He has also reaffirmed that Fernández remains part of the leadership group and that the sanction is short-term in nature.

While the club respects the strong bonds and unity within the playing squad, the disciplinary decision was taken jointly to protect the long-term values and environment being built at Chelsea. Rosenior has consistently stressed the importance of accountability, even in the face of high-stakes fixtures such as the visit to Manchester City.

The club continues to focus on moving forward as a unified group. Rosenior recently stated: “We’ve had really good conversations… Things aren’t always what people maybe think they are. We’ll move forward and make sure we have a really good run-in to the season.”

Enzo Fernández retains the full support of the coaching staff, ownership, and his teammates as he serves the remainder of his internal suspension. He is expected to return to full squad contention thereafter, with his long-term future at the club — under contract until 2032 — remaining secure.  

Chelsea Football Club will not be providing any further comment on internal squad matters at this time and respectfully asks the media and supporters to allow the team to prepare for the important Premier League encounter against Manchester City without additional speculation.

Liam Rosenior Stands Firm on Enzo Fernández Two-Match Suspension Ahead of Manchester City Clash

Chelsea Football Club confirms that head coach **Liam Rosenior** has upheld the club's decision to impose a two-match internal suspension on midfielder **Enzo Fernández**, meaning the Argentina international will not be available for selection in the upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

The sanction follows comments made by Fernández during the recent international break, in which he discussed aspects of his future in a manner that the club and coaching staff determined crossed a line with regard to team culture and internal standards. Rosenior, who has been clear and consistent since the matter arose, emphasised that the decision was taken collectively to protect the values and environment being built at Chelsea.

Speaking after the club's impressive 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale — a match Fernández watched from the stands — Rosenior stated: "As a football club, with me as part of that process, we've made a decision. He won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City. It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way… but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. We had to make a sanction."

Rosenior has stressed that the suspension is short-term and disciplinary in nature. He added that the "door is not closed" on Fernández, describing him as a "top, top guy" with whom he has maintained an open and positive dialogue. The head coach confirmed that Fernández remains part of the leadership group as vice-captain and that the club values his significant contributions on the pitch.

Despite reported approaches from within the squad urging a reconsideration for the high-profile Manchester City match, Rosenior has stood firm. The decision prioritises long-term cultural integrity over short-term team selection needs, even as Chelsea prepare for one of the most demanding fixtures in the Premier League calendar.

"We’ve had really good conversations," Rosenior noted. "Things aren’t always what people maybe think they are. We’ll move forward and make sure we have a really good run-in to the season."

Fernández, a key player since his record-breaking arrival at the club, has a long-term contract until 2032 and continues to be highly regarded by the coaching staff and ownership for his talent and potential. The club expects him to return to full contention after serving the suspension, with focus now turning to the remainder of what promises to be a competitive end to the campaign.

Chelsea Football Club will not be commenting further on the internal disciplinary matter at this time and asks for respect for all parties as the team prepares for the challenge at the Etihad Stadium.

Oscar - Top Chelsea Goals, Skills & Assists | Best Of Oscar Compilation | Chelsea FC

 Oscar has announced his retirement at 34 after being diagnosed with a fainting condition. 💙

A global career across Brazil, England and China:

🏆 2x Premier League

🏆 Europa League

🏆 League Cup

🏆 Chinese Super League

🏆 Chinese FA Cup

A player who left his mark on every continent!

Joe Cole reacts as Chelsea draw Leeds United in ‘feisty’ FA Cup semi-final tie

 Chelsea have learned they will face Leeds United in The FA Cup semi-finals after a hectic Sunday afternoon clash that saw Leeds edge past Axel Disasi’s West Ham.

A day earlier, Chelsea had cruised into the semi-finals at Wembley. An easy 7-0 win over League One side Port Vale, who sit rock-bottom of England’s third tier. Liam Rosenior fielded a very strong side yesterday.

It comes after Chelsea had beaten three Championship sides to reach the quarter-finals. Easy wins over Charlton and Hull City were followed by a tricky clash at Wrexham, which saw Chelsea go to extra time.

Seven different scorers, too. Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, or an own goal, Estevao, Tosin, Andrey Santos, and Alejandro Garnacho all scored for the Blues. Man City had smashed Liverpool earlier on.

A 4-0 win, inspired by Erling Haaland, and then, later on, on Saturday night, Southampton produced the result of the round. A 2-1 win over Arsenal on the south coast, ending Arsenal’s hopes of the quadruple.

Chelsea then, went into the draw with the knowledge that they could reach the final without even playing against a Premier League side, if they drew Southampton. Leeds and Man City eagerly awaited the draw.

Despite Axel Disasi ending a year-long goal drought to draw West Ham level in injury time, West Ham eventually suffered a penalty-shootout defeat to Leeds, as Pascal Struijk scored the winning penalty.

Chelsea have been drawn against Leeds, with the game to take place at Wembley. Joe Cole instantly responded with “ooh, that is feisty, 1970”, briefly mentioning the final 56 years ago on TNT Sports.

Chelsea failed to beat Leeds in both of their Premier League games this season, drawing 2-2 at home after a 3-1 loss in Yorkshire. The semi-finals will be played on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of April.

Source: The Chelsea Chronicles

Chelsea to Face Leeds United in Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley

 Chelsea Football Club today confirms that we will face Leeds United in the semi-finals of the 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup.

The two-legged tie will be contested as a single match at Wembley Stadium on the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026. The exact date and kick-off time for the Chelsea fixture will be confirmed by the Football Association in due course, with both semi-finals scheduled across the two days.

Chelsea advanced to the last four with an emphatic 7-0 victory over League Two side Port Vale in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Leeds United, meanwhile, booked their place at Wembley by overcoming West Ham United on penalties in a dramatic quarter-final clash played earlier today at the London Stadium.

Head Coach Liam Rosenior said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be in the semi-finals again. Reaching Wembley is always a special moment for any player, staff member and supporter, and to do so in the FA Cup – the oldest and most prestigious domestic cup competition in the world – makes it even more meaningful. Leeds are a club with real pedigree in this competition and a passionate fanbase, so we know it will be a huge occasion. But our focus now is on preparing properly while continuing our strong run of form in the Premier League.”

Chelsea’s path to the semi-finals has seen impressive performances, including standout wins in earlier rounds that showcased the squad’s depth and attacking quality. The Blues last lifted the FA Cup in 2018 and remain one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history.

Leeds United, currently competing in the Premier League, bring their own rich FA Cup heritage to the tie. The two clubs famously met in the 1970 FA Cup Final (and its replay), one of the most memorable and hard-fought encounters in the competition’s annals.

Tickets for the semi-final will go on sale to Chelsea supporters in due course, with allocation details and priority access information to be shared via chelseafc.com and the Chelsea app. Supporters are advised to only purchase tickets through official channels to avoid disappointment.

This semi-final represents another significant milestone in Chelsea’s 2025/26 campaign as the club continues to compete on multiple fronts under Rosenior’s leadership.