Chelsea star willing to join West Ham on a permanent deal in summer tranfer

Axel Disasi has reportedly opened the door to a permanent switch to West Ham United this summer. The Frenchman has enjoyed a revitalised stint at the London Stadium under Nuno Espirito Santo, though his long-term future in East London remains tethered to a significant condition regarding the club's league status.

The 28-year-old defender joined the Hammers during the winter window in a deal that saw David Sullivan shell out £2 million in loan fees, and he has quickly become a cornerstone of Nuno's defensive unit. According to reports from The Athletic, "sources with knowledge" close to the player have suggested that Disasi is prepared to enter formal talks regarding a long-term contract once the season concludes. The former Monaco man has found a new lease of life in East London after a difficult period at Chelsea and a subsequent struggle for minutes during a loan spell at Aston Villa last season.

While the prospect of securing Disasi on a permanent basis is a major boost for Nuno, the reality of the situation is dictated by the league table. West Ham currently find themselves in a scrap for survival, and it is understood that a drop to the Championship would effectively end any hopes of keeping the Frenchman. Disasi is keen to continue playing at the highest level and will only commit to the Hammers if they are a Premier League entity next term. Nuno, who has developed a strong working relationship with the centre-back, is desperate to keep him. However, the financial and sporting implications of relegation mean that the "door being open" for a move is strictly contingent on the club avoiding the drop in the final weeks of the campaign.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Crystal Palace, Nuno praised the impact Disasi has had since arriving at the club. Despite the defender’s recent history of being sidelined at Chelsea, the manager insisted that his belief never wavered. "He joined high on confidence and believed in himself. Believe me, Axel was never low on confidence. He is a very positive boy. He arrived with the commitment to help and was very aware of the situation that we are," Nuno told reporters.

The Portuguese coach continued by addressing Disasi's journey through various clubs recently, stating: "In life, you go through ups, downs, disappointments, happiness, so it’s the reality of life. It’s not about being written off and having a point to prove to anyone."

Determining Disasi's future is not just about one player; it could also decide the fate of his defensive partner, Konstantinos Mavropanos. The duo have formed a formidable partnership that has caught the eye of several top-flight clubs. There is a growing belief within the club that if Disasi signs permanently, it would entice the Greek international to reject outside interest and remain at the London Stadium. Mavropanos has looked like a transformed player since Disasi’s arrival, which has led to significant interest from rival Premier League sides.

Under-18s report: Fulham 1-5 Chelsea

 A statement performance from Chelsea saw Reggie Walsh net a hat-trick and Mathis Eboue score twice in a commanding victory over Fulham at Motspur Park, which saw the Blues extend our lead at the top of the Under-18 Premier League table in style.

Dan Hogan’s side flew out of the blocks, with Eboue opening the scoring inside seven minutes with a powerful finish, which set the tone for a high-intensity derby display.

Despite Fulham briefly responding through Anand Batra, Walsh restored our lead almost immediately before striking again just before the half-hour mark to put the Blues firmly in control.

With momentum building, Eboue added his second before the break to make it 4-1 at the half-time interval, a scoreline that reflected a dominant first-half performance.

After the restart, Walsh completed his hat-trick with a superbly taken free-kick, capping off a brilliant individual display and a commanding team performance.

Chelsea saw out the match professionally to secure a sixth consecutive win and strengthen our position at the top of the table with just three games remaining. Silverware is firmly in sight.

Lively start

Chelsea made a bright start to this west London derby, breaking the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.

Dante Waite played a composed pass into Chizaram Ezenwata, who held off Fulham pressure well before shifting the ball out wide to Eboue. Full of confidence, the winger drove into the area and unleashed a fierce strike through Matthew Bagot to put the Blues ahead on away soil.

We almost doubled our lead moments later. Eboue delivered an accurate cross into the box, where Sol Gordon met it with a close-range effort, but the Fulham goalkeeper reacted sharply to push the ball away.

As expected in a London derby, the game remained feisty and full of action, and the hosts soon responded. A quick counter-attack saw Khai Vally lift a long ball over the top to Batra, who fired a left-footed strike beyond Fredy Bernal to bring Fulham level at 1-1.

Chelsea responded immediately in search of a second. Ezenwata attempted a clever lifted effort as Bagot came off his line, but the ball struck the far post, denying us a quick reply.

Taking charge again

Our dominance soon told in what was an electric contest, as we regained the lead through midfielder Walsh. The move began with Calvin Diakite, who picked out Eboue on the wing. Continuing to cause problems, the winger delivered a superb ball into Walsh, who fired an unstoppable strike into the net to restore our advantage just 16 minutes in.

The third followed shortly after as we continued to find our rhythm. Olutayo Subuloye threaded a precise pass into Lewi Richards, whose low strike came back off the post. Walsh reacted quickest, tapping in the rebound to make it 3-1 to the Blues.

Fantastic four

There was no let-up before the break. Our attackers combined once again, with Walsh driving forward before feeding Eboue. Similar to his first goal, the winger cut into the area with pace and skill before powering his finish into the far corner to make it 4-1 and secure his second of the afternoon.

After a dominant first-half display, Chelsea headed into the interval with a commanding three-goal advantage, looking to carry that same intensity into the second period.

Hat-trick hero!

Chelsea made the stronger start to the second period and were soon rewarded with a fifth goal of the afternoon, as Walsh completed his hat-trick in style.

The midfielder stepped up to a free-kick in a dangerous position and coolly curled a superb effort over the wall and into the top corner to make it 5-1. It was a beautifully executed strike and a moment to remember.

The Blues continued to dominate, although the game began to take on a slightly cagey feel. We remained in control and looked to add to the scoreline, while Fulham registered their first real attempt of the second half through substitute Tarrell Cavell, whose close-range effort was well saved by Bernal, who reacted quickly to keep it out.

As we entered the final stages of the game, Chelsea remained composed. Substitute Jashayde Greenwood almost added his name to the scoresheet shortly after coming on, unleashing a powerful effort that looked destined for the net, but it drifted just wide of the post.

The final whistle sparked celebrations, as the Blues secured another deserved victory, extending our unbeaten run in the Under-18 Premier League to eight matches and carrying strong momentum into the next fixture.

What it means

Following this result, the Blues have recorded our 19th win from 26 Under-18 Premier League fixtures. We remain top of the table on 61 points, currently eight clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

What's next

Chelsea will continue our Under-18 Premier League campaign by hosting Ipswich Town on Saturday 25 April, with kick-off at midday at Cobham. Supporters can watch the match live on the Chelsea Official App and website free of charge.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards (Riley Ebho 60), Dante Waite (c), Olutayo Subuloye, Calvin Diakite; Isaac Badu (Ibrahim Rabbaj 64), Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh; Sol Gordon (Jashayde Greenwood 64), Chizaram Ezenwata, Mathis Eboue (Kobe Barbour 60)

Unused sub: Toby Bell

Scorers: Eboue 7, 35, Walsh 16, 29, 54

Booked: Badu 64, Nicoll-Jazuli 72

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Matthew Bagot, Nazim Benchaita, Kymarley Morrison, Teddy Driscoll (Dylan De-Gale 72), Archie Taylor, Logan Cooke, William Sutton-Bangura (Bashil Lubega 61), Joe Obeng-John, Brodie Dair (Tarrell Cavell 61), Khai Vally (Markuss Gomins h-t), Anand Batra (Aidan Evans 61)

Scorer: Batra 13

Booked: Obeng-John 53, Morrison 58, Cavell 86

Liam Rosenior explains Joao Pedro absence against Man United

 Liam Rosenior has confirmed Joao Pedro is absent for today's Premier League clash with Manchester United due to a thigh injury, but expects the Brazilian to play against Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek.

The forward has been a regular for the Blues since his summer arrival from Brighton but will miss today's game at the Bridge.

And Rosenior revealed: 'Joao felt his thigh a few days ago. He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we'll have him back for Brighton on Tuesday.'

Liam Delap will replace Joao Pedro in the starting line-up and when asked how it changes things for his team, Rosenior replied: 'Not too much. They're a different profile of striker. Liam likes to stretch and run behind. Joao likes to play to feet, but we feel like Liam has been really pushing for his opportunity to play and hopefully goes out there and takes it.'

Chelsea have made two changes for today's match, with Enzo Fernandez returning to the side after his two-match absence, with Andrey Santos dropping to the bench.

And Rosenior is delighted to have the Argentina international back, adding: 'We have missed everything about him. His character, his quality in possession, his drive to win. He's a huge part of the squad, and it's great to have him back.'

Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Manchester United

 Liam Rosenior has made two changes to his Chelsea side for this evening's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

After a disappointing result last time out against Manchester City, we are looking to bounce back and boost our Champions League qualification hopes with victory against the Red Devils.

Robert Sanchez continues in goal for the Blues and will once again be protected by a back four that consists of Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and Marc Cucurella.

Moises Caicedo, fresh from signing a new contract until 2033, starts in midfield and captains the Blues. He will be deployed alongside Enzo Fernandez, who returns to the side after missing our previous two matches.

Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian will all start in our attack again, but there is a change as Liam Delap replaces Joao Pedro, who is absent from the squad.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Delap

Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Lavia, Essugo, Garnacho, Guiu

Naomi Girma on target as USA see off Japan

 Naomi Girma bagged a goal as the USA defeated Japan 3-0 on Saturday night to conclude a three-game friendly series between the two sides.

Emma Hayes' had already won one and lost one match in this triple header, but brought many of her starters back into the line-up for the final encounter in Colorado, including Girma and Alyssa Thompson.

The match was goalless when the two sides went in at the break, although Girma had seen a header go over the bar and Thompson had done well to beat her defender on the left and lay the ball off to Clare Hutton, who then hit the woodwork with her shot.

The US came out with renewed resolve after the interval, and it was Girma who broke the deadlock less than three minutes after the restart with her first international goal since October 2024.

That breakthrough came when Rose Lavelle's corner came to Kennedy Wesley at the far post, and the defender headed the ball back across goal to her former Stanford University team-mate Girma for her to send a powerful header into the back of the net.

The second came less than ten minutes later when a defence-splitting long pass from Trinity Rodman sent Lavelle off on the counter, before she slotted home with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Hayes made a double substitution just after the hour mark, replacing Thompson and her sister Giselle with Jaedyn Shaw and Avery Patterson. It was after those switches that the US hit their third goal as Wesley struck from a corner with the outside of her boot.

Girma was replaced by Lilly Reale with seven minutes to play, as the US closed out their second win in this three-game series against Japan.

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Cucurella and Neto on belief and bouncing back

 Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto have been mainstays in the Chelsea side this season, so both are well placed to assess our prospects as the campaign nears its conclusion ahead of this evening's clash with Manchester United.

Of our 32 top-flight fixtures so far this term, Cucurella has featured in 28 and Neto in 30. They will no doubt be pushing for another start tonight as we host the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge.

There is plenty on the line as we enter the home stretch, with Champions League qualification a key target along with lifting silverware in the form of the FA Cup. Cucurella says the squad are confident we can return to form at the right time and achieve our objectives this season.

‘We deserve to keep believing,’ said Cucurella.

‘There are a few games left, and it's up to us. We also have a semi-final to play, and if we do well, we could reach the final and win a title.

‘We need to focus on doing our best, on what we can improve, and how we can find consistency. And in the end, we have six weeks left to give it our all and see how far we can go.’

That is a sentiment echoed by Neto. The Portuguese winger hopes tonight’s game can kickstart a positive run of form and act as a ‘turning point’ in our season.

‘We have to bounce back, we have to keep our heads up and show our character in the difficult moments,’ stressed Neto.

‘We have to go to the next game to try to win it. It's all about working hard, keeping the momentum in terms of high character, stepping up at this time.

‘We will get a tough match against a tough team that is fighting for the same goals as us. These are the games that we want to play, so I’m really looking forward to it, and hopefully it’s a good turning point for us.’

Chelsea U21s to Honour Premier League 2 League Phase Triumph with Lap of Appreciation Ahead of Manchester United Fixture

Following their outstanding achievement in securing top spot in the league phase of the 2025/26 Premier League 2 campaign, Chelsea Football Club’s Under-21 side will complete a lap of appreciation for supporters at approximately 7:30pm this evening.

The young Blues clinched the league phase title with a strong, consistent performance throughout the regular season, showcasing the quality and depth of the club’s renowned academy pathway. This success marks another significant milestone for the Chelsea U21 programme, underlining the continued development of some of the brightest young talents in English football.

Supporters attending tonight’s Premier League 2 fixture against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge will have the opportunity to applaud the squad as they take to the pitch for the lap of appreciation before kick-off. The gesture serves as a heartfelt thank you to the loyal Chelsea fans who have backed the team throughout a memorable campaign.

Head Coach of the U21s, Mark Robinson, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of what the players have achieved this season. Winning the league phase is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the high standards we set at this club. The lap of appreciation is our way of saying thank you to the fans who travel and support us week in, week out. We look forward to finishing the season strongly starting with tonight’s match against Manchester United.”

Tonight’s game against Manchester United kicks off at 8:00pm and represents the first fixture following the confirmation of Chelsea’s position at the top of the Premier League 2 table.

Liam Rosenior Addresses External Pressure and Reaffirms Confidence in Chelsea Project

 Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has dismissed early scrutiny of his tenure at the club, insisting he remains fully focused on delivering long-term success for the Blues.

Speaking ahead of upcoming Premier League fixtures, Rosenior addressed the intense expectations that come with managing one of football’s biggest clubs, just three months into his role.

“I was questioned after three minutes of joining this club, let alone three months… It’s absolutely fine,” said Rosenior.

He continued: “I’m confident in our ability as a club. I’m confident in the project. I’m confident knowing what we want to do in the future. I’m confident in this job.”

Rosenior, who was appointed head coach on a long-term contract until 2032 in January 2026 following his successful spell at RC Strasbourg, acknowledged the high-pressure environment at Chelsea but emphasised his readiness for the challenge.

“The noise is not anything you can control,” he added. “If I couldn’t deal with the noise, I wouldn’t be sat in this chair. The things you can control are our group, our spirit, our performance, the attitude, the energy and the application to the game.”

Since taking charge, Rosenior has focused on building team cohesion, implementing a clear playing style, and fostering a winning mentality among the squad. The club remains committed to its strategic vision of sustainable success both on and off the pitch.

Chelsea Football Club backs Liam Rosenior and the entire coaching staff as they work towards securing a strong finish to the 2025/26 season and competing at the highest levels in the years ahead.

Chelsea vs Manchester United: All you need to know

 Chelsea’s back-to-back hosting of the Manchester clubs in the Premier League concludes with United’s visit to Stamford Bridge this evening. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton look ahead to a potentially crucial waypoint in the race for European qualification.

Always a huge match-up in the top flight, tonight's 8pm kick-off is the 199th involving Chelsea and United in all competitions.

The Red Devils’ setback on Monday at home to the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final opponents, Leeds United, ended a six-match winning streak, but leaves them seven points clear of Liam Rosenior’s side in the Premier League table.

That’s because, despite edging the first half against their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City, Chelsea were eventually beaten last Sunday. A run of five defeats in six across all competitions needs to be remedied as soon as possible to resurrect our UEFA Champions League ambitions.

The Blues’ league win rate against United at the Bridge (33.73 per cent) is our lowest against any current top-flight club. However, we are unbeaten in our last five Premier League outings against the Mancunians on a Saturday, and are unbeaten in evening kick-offs at home on that day since October 1995.

The reverse fixture in September started disastrously with Robert Sanchez’s early dismissal and two first-half goals for the hosts. Casemiro’s sending-off levelled numbers, but despite having the lion’s share of possession, we could only halve the deficit through a fine headed goal from Trevoh Chalobah.

The Londoners have won six, drawn five and lost just one of the past 12 home league clashes with the Red Devils, and have won the last two of their Premier League visits to west London.

No Room for Racism weekend

All Premier League fixtures taking place this weekend are dedicated to No Room For Racism.

The Premier League and its clubs are appalled that players continue to face discriminatory abuse and will continue to do everything in our power to stop it, wherever it happens.

Chelsea is a club that actively celebrates our diversity – and we ask our supporters to share our vision of a club and a game free from discrimination and open to all.

During or after the game, discriminatory and anti-social behaviour can be reported directly to the club via the page which can be accessed by clicking here.

The Premier League has a team of experts dedicated to monitoring and investigating online racist abuse. Abusers could face custodial sentences, football banning orders, criminal records, fines, community orders or police -mandated educational programmes.

Since 2021, the Premier League has investigated more than 4,000 cases, with legal action brought against abusers across three continents.

Anyone who witnesses racist abuse is urged to report it. Online abuse can be reported directly to the site or platform where it was posted or via the Premier League’s online reporting form.

Chelsea team news

Rosenior confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Enzo Fernandez is available for selection against Manchester United, after the midfielder was left out of the squad for our last two matches.

'Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well, so it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game,' said our head coach in his pre-match press conference, before updating on the recoveries of three of our defenders.

'Trevoh [Chalobah] trained today. Not quite fully, it was modified training. We'll make a decision on him, but he's very, very close. Reece [James] is a little bit further away.'

There was also a positive update on Levi Colwill, who was set to feature for our Under-21s in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Cobham yesterday (Friday) evening.

'I'm hoping we'll see Levi before the end of the season, as he is an outstanding player and a leader in the dressing room,' said our head coach.

'Levi will play some minutes with the Under-21s, which is fantastic for him. When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi’s injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure he is 100 per cent right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for our first team.'

The history

An 8pm kick-off is not the most regular Saturday night entertainment London’s bright lights have to offer, but we have hosted Manchester United twice on that evening over the past 11 years.

Exactly 11 years ago, Jose Mourinho’s second coming looked highly likely to scoop the title again, with third-placed visitors United eight points behind and having played one game more.

The Red Devils were in hot form ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off and recorded 70 per cent possession in the game, but the Blues’ legendary resilience shut them out.

Eden Hazard slotted home the winner from Oscar’s flick after a thrilling move and, by the end of the weekend, the celebrating Blues were on the brink of the title – 10 points clear of Arsenal and 11 above the Mancunians.

The Saturday evening meeting at the Bridge in October 2022 was a cagy affair, and looked to be a stalemate until the last few minutes, when Scott McTominay felled Armando Broja and Jorginho converted the resulting spot-kick.

Frustratingly, Graham Potter’s men could not hold out for what would have been the first landmark win of his tenure, as Casemiro stole in for a stoppage-time header.

Another late show between the two teams that is worthy of a mention came on a Thursday night two years ago.

Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer laid down the path to success for the hosts with early strikes, but future Blue Alejandro Garnacho scored twice and Bruno Fernandes once as the visitors rallied.

The Mancunians led 3-2 until the dying moments, then Wythenshaw wonder Cole Palmer found a 90th-minute equaliser. Seconds later, he bagged the winner against his hometown club with a penalty to blow the roof off the Chelsea stadium.

Know this...

Chelsea are targeting a third successive victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 20 years.

The reverse fixture at Old Trafford was one of three Premier League matches this season in which the United goalkeeper recorded zero saves.

However, this is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history – 27 games finishing level since 1992/93.

The Blues have scored three or more goals in the first half of a game five times this season on all fronts, the most by any Premier League side.

Chelsea have scored the most six-yard area goals in the top flight (18), but only Liverpool, Bournemouth (both 16) and West Ham United (17) have conceded more Premier League goals from set-plays than the Blues (15).

The Londoners have failed to find the net in our past two league games at Stamford Bridge.

United have lost two of their last four matches, the same tally of defeats as in the previous 22.

Bruno Fernandes has recorded 17 top-flight assists this season, one behind Chelsea’s joint club record-holders for a single campaign, Frank Lampard and Cesc Fabregas, on 18.

Rosenior on striking first and managing the margins

 Liam Rosenior says the Blues will enjoy an uptick in fortunes if we are able to open the scoring on Saturday and turn the fine margins the Premier League is renowned for in our favour.

Chelsea take on fellow Champions League hopefuls Manchester United on Saturday hoping to arrest a run of three straight league defeats, all without finding the net. We also bowed out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Our head coach believes those encounters with the European champions have played a part in the run we are on now. Seizing the initiative and maintaining confidence levels mid-game are two areas Rosenior thinks can make a difference this weekend.

‘We had four games in nine days and it was a lot for the group in terms of the standard of the games and the intensity of the games,’ said Rosenior.

‘If I look at each game, it has come down to a loss of concentration and focus in a moment that has snowballed into the rest of the performances. There was a mistake against Newcastle, or the mistake against Paris Saint-Germain, and then it snowballs into a lack of confidence.

‘What I want to see the team do is go on and push for the first goal - not give the first goal up - and give themselves the confidence to go on and win the game.’

Rosenior only needs rewind to last weekend to see how quickly Premier League matches can diverge. He wants to see his team ensure the small moments go our way on Saturday.

He said: ‘Against Manchester City, [Marc] Cucurella was probably an inch away from scoring the first goal, and then that changes the momentum and flow of the team.

‘We’re not as far away as probably what it feels like, but what we have to do is manage the margins of the game a little bit better.’

Chelsea fc

Chelsea co-owner opens up on Enzo Maresca’s 'mysterious' exit

Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has broken his silence on Enzo Maresca's departure, claiming the club were forced into the "mysterious" change. The Blues chief suggested legal reasons are preventing the full truth from emerging following the shock exit in January.

In a candid appearance at CAA’s World Congress of Sports, Eghbali addressed the sudden exit of Maresca. While many assumed the Italian had become the latest casualty of the Clearlake Capital era, the co-owner insisted the decision was taken out of the club's hands.

The departure has reportedly had a "negative impact" on Chelsea's campaign as the squad adjusts to another change in leadership. Eghbali noted that the club must now "fight their way out" of the disruption caused by the move, which comes amid intensifying rumours linking Maresca to a role at Manchester City.

Eghbali has remained vague on the specifics of the exit, citing legal constraints that prevent a full disclosure at this time. However, he was adamant that the board had no desire to replace the former Leicester City boss so soon into his tenure.

"The change wasn’t the club’s decision, for reasons I can’t speak about legally," Eghbali said, as quoted by Sports Business Journal. "I think the reasons will become kind of clear in due course. But no, it’s not a change we wanted to make. It’s a change that’s had a bit of a negative impact on the season, when you’re changing systems and personnel. And it’s one we’ve got to fight out our way out of."

The 46-year-old first arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2024, replacing the sacked Mauricio Pochettino. In total, Maresca oversaw 92 matches (55 wins, 16 draws, and 21 losses) for the Blues in all competitions until his dismissal in January. The decision came following a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa and a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the end of 2025.

Despite impressive results in the previous months, including a 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League in November and being named Premier League Manager of the Year for the same month, Chelsea's owners decided to part ways with the former Leicester manager following a rift in his relationship with the club's management. During his time in charge of the London club, Maresca won the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup respectively.

Matchday: Big show TODAY at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on Manchester United

 Get ready as Chelsea fc take on Man United at Stamford Bridge, it is going to be a massive show

Chelsea head coach has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez is ready to return to action for this weekend's pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester United.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez is ready to return to action for this weekend's pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester United. The Argentine midfielder's availability provides a significant boost for the Blues as they look to revive their pursuit of Champions League qualification and bounce back from recent disappointing results.

The Blues have been handed a major boost ahead of their high-stakes encounter with United after Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez is back in contention. The World Cup winner missed the club's recent FA Cup triumph over Port Vale and the previous league outing against Manchester City following an internal suspension for comments made about potentially joining Real Madrid, but he has now rejoined the main group.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, the head coach explained: "Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well. So, it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game. Enzo has come back to the group this week, and the group has been fantastic. In terms of his training, his application to training, Enzo has been fantastic as well."

In addition to the positive news regarding the midfielder, Rosenior provided an encouraging update on Levi Colwill. The 23-year-old defender has been sidelined for the entire campaign so far due to a serious knee ligament injury sustained during pre-season. He will take the next step in his recovery by featuring for the under-21s in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday.

"I'm hoping [we'll see Levi before the end of the season] as Levi is an outstanding player and a leader in the dressing room," Rosenior continued. "Levi will play some minutes with the U21s tomorrow, which is fantastic for him. When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi’s injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure he is 100 per cent right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for our first team. It [the game] has not been set up especially for him, but it's something that we think is right for him in this moment."

Rosenior also touched on the situations of injured defenders Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James.

"Trevoh trained today. Not quite fully; it was modified training. We'll make a decision on him, but he's very, very close. Reece is a little bit further away," the manager noted.

Chelsea face a defining period in their domestic campaign. After hosting United on Saturday, they travel to Brighton before a massive FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.

Source: GOAL

Liam Rosenior tells Chelsea stars they can win all SIX games to make Champions League

 Liam Rosenior insists Chelsea can win all six of their remaining Premier League clashes to qualify for the Champions League – and has urged his players to kickstart this bid for perfection by dropping their egos in their Saturday night showdown with Manchester United.

The pressure is being piled on Rosenior from fans, though the Blues boss answered this by saying he was ‘questioned after three minutes of joining this club, let alone three months’.

He is adamant they can still secure their top target of a top-five finish, despite sitting four points shy of Liverpool heading into this weekend, and explained how Chelsea’s greatest-ever players such as John Terry and Frank Lampard played for the team rather than themselves.

‘That’s the great thing about the quality we have in this team – we are capable,’ Rosenior said when asked if they can go six for six. ‘But to be capable is one thing. To go and produce it is another. Time is running out. 

'We need to make sure we get each performance as perfect as possible in every aspect of the game, and in the knowledge that if we do that, we have the potential to win every game between now and the rest of the season.’

Rosenior listed his four core principles for tough times – ‘simplicity, hard work, humility and lack of ego’ – and added: ‘When you see the lack of ego in this team when it was at its best, with John (Terry), with Frank (Lampard), with Didier (Drogba), they were a team. It wasn’t a team of egos. That was a team of big personalities who fought for the shirt. That’s what we need to show now.’

Chelsea are still backing Rosenior, even as they face the prospect of missing out on the Champions League, which would be a failure for all concerned at the club.

The Englishman insists the outside noise does not bother him, as he said: ‘I was questioned after three minutes of joining this club, let alone three months.

‘It’s why I’m here. The noise? If I couldn’t deal with the noise, I wouldn’t be sat in this chair. I’m aware. It’s absolutely fine. I’m confident in our ability as a football club. I’m confident in the project. I’m confident knowing what we want to do in the future. I’m confident in this job.

‘I don't think there’s a manager in world football who hasn’t gone through a time like this at a certain stage of the season and it’s up to me, the club and the team to show what we’re about.’

Chelsea and Strasbourg supporters are coming together to stage a protest march outside of Stamford Bridge before the visit of United. Rosenior, having swapped one club for the other in January, said: ‘In terms of how it affects me or the team, I have to focus on what I can control. That's all I can do. 

'In Strasbourg, we had fan protests, and I understood their point of view and their perspective, and what we wanted to do was show them that we give everything on the pitch for that club. It’s exactly the same being at this club.’

Liam Rosenior issues update on Jamie Gittens and Filip Jorgensen

 Liam Rosenior has provided the latest news regarding the availability of Jamie Gittens and Filip Jorgensen, both of whom have been out with injury in recent weeks.

Gittens sustained a hamstring injury in training ahead of our FA Cup tie against Port Vale earlier this month. It was a setback in his recovery from a similar issue picked up in his most recent appearance for us, against West Ham United in January.

Jorgensen meanwhile has been out for the past month with a groin injury. Rosenior was asked if the duo would likely play again this season when he spoke to the media on Thursday.

‘I can’t give a definitive answer yet,’ Rosenior replied.

‘Jamie has responded really well to his recent setback, but we need to make sure it is right in the long term. It's the same situation with Filip Jorgensen.’

On Thursday, Rosenior confirmed a decision would be taken on Trevoh Chalobah, who is 'very, very close', while Reece James is a 'little bit further away' from returning to action.