Morning all,

We have reached the end of July and moving into August, we can really now start getting excited about the new season!

And I can’t lie, I’m also feeling much more excited about supporting Chelsea this season under Xabi Alonso. Obviously we need to end the window strong and get more important business done, but the feels are much better at the moment and the squad is being built with more balance. I’ve got words on that here in my article titled, ‘In Alonso we trust’…

Round up all of your latest general Chelsea news from across the last 24 hours in the same place here. This covers all you need to know!

Chelsea tried to sign John Stones but he wanted to go to Italy instead, so will Chelsea target any other free agent centre backs instead? I have looked into the ones available here, as well as put some polls in there to see if you fancy signing any of them! 40-year-old Sergio Ramos anyone!?

We also had TWO exclusive sourced insider transfer news articles out. The first here on Chelsea still having Lewis Hall as their DREAM left back signing, which is crazy seeing as we used to own this player anyway! Never let your dreams slip away, eh!?

And the next one is on more talks with Crystal Palace off the back of Maxence Lacroix. Adam Wharton to Chelsea too? Josh Acheampong to Palace? Lots brewing in here.

I also jumped on the latest Podcast with Jai yesterday to chat in more depth about all the latest Chelsea news and transfer updates here.

Have a good weekend all! I’ll jump on the Substack App in the chat section to deliver any big exclusive news I get from now until Sunday, when I’ll be back on the website. Chelsea play Saturday morning against Spurs, and I’ll have my reactions to that out on Sunday too.

Peace, Si.

If Xabi Alonso wants to sign 100-year-old wildlife documentary maker David Attenborough for experience, then I’m right behind him, because in Alonso we trust…

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Chelsea are certainly looking to add another centre back as well as Maxence Lacroix this window, and they tried hard to land John Stones.

Stones was a free agent, but in the end he simply just wanted …

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Chelsea are still expected to announce the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace soon, but they continue talks with his club regarding a few other players, SPTC Sources can reveal.

Now, this one went out on the Live Blog yesterday, but there is important and significant information in this, so I wanted to put it in article format to make sure everyone has seen it, and add further info.

As we said yesterday, there are no issues with the Lacroix deal, it’s just not been announced yet; news that was then backed up by Fabrizio Romano last night.

So first of all, let me explain why that hasn’t been announced yet…

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Yesterday, I delivered some fresh news on one situation that is going on right now at the club this summer.

Chelsea have been busy this week, looking to add more experience to the squad and making some signings from nowhere, and I wonder whether this might be another one of those situations.

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Back on the website on Sunday, have a good weekend all, signing off now. Any big news I get before Sunday will as always, go out o…

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Morning all,

Oh look, we’re in another heat wave in the UK! I really love football training in this… *note sarcasm! Anyway, soon be Christmas!

First of all, round up all of your latest general Chelsea news from across the last 24 hours in the same place here. This covers all you need to know, with plenty going on.

Speaking of plenty going on, Chelsea have some BIG plans in midfield this summer. When I say big plans, I mean HUGE! You can read all about that from our sources here.

There are movements up top as well, with Danny Welbeck expected to arrive very soon now. Other strikers will depart, and I have all the latest inside news on that in our sourced article here.

And an exclusive up next. Whilst Chelsea attempt to sign a new left back, they could pivot to a player they already have. Plenty of inside stuff on that one here.

Josh Acheampong for me needs a good loan move now - he needs it to develop. I have some words and also a poll for you all to take part in here.

See you all on the next Live Blog around 8.45am today on the home page!

Peace, Si.

Many Chelsea fans have been puzzled by the last two managers at the club seemingly just not fancying or fully trusting Josh Acheampong yet, but I think the more we see him play, the more we can see w…

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Xabi Alonso took charge of his first game as Chelsea manager yesterday, at least the first game that was in the public eye and not behind closed doors.

The new Chelsea manager picked a starting Xl that mostly consisted of very young players and academy players, with only a few ‘senior’ players.

It was refreshing to see, and Alonso has already spoken glowingly about how many of the academy players have been impressing him in training. Might some of them get a shot in the first team this season?

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Chelsea are expected to offload at least three of their current strikers this summer, with the most likely being Liam Delap.

Both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are expected to depart as well before the end of the window.

There are also still some question marks around Emanuel Emegha when I’ve asked sources on him this week.

Danny Welbeck is arriving as a different option up top for Chelsea, and of course, ticking the experience and leadership boxes that the club and Xabi Alonso want to add in.

SPTC Sources understand Delap is a target for Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Fulham so far this summer, and he is also being considered by his former club Ipswich Town, and liked by Newcastle United. His agents are currently in talks with at least three of these clubs discussing a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Marc Guiu meanwhile, is also a target for Fulham this summer, and we believe initial talks have taken place there. Coventry City are also a club to watch for Guiu, our sources understand.

Chelsea are ideally looking for a permanent exit for both players, but loans moves are also part of the discussions for both players.

Nicolas Jackson is wanted by Aston Villa, and there is a sense from sources that this one is on the cards to happen right at the end of the window. Unai Emery has wanted Jackson for some time, and the belief is this will happen as part of the Morgan Rogers deal that has already gone through.

So, plenty of movements expected at Chelsea in attack as Welbeck is now due complete his Blues medical and be announced soon.

Simon Phillips

Chelsea are not expected to stop with their midfield revamp after signing Jordan Henderson from Brentford.

As revealed yesterday, the club are pushing to try and find an agreement with Bournemouth to sign Alex Scott from them. But as well as this, there are more BIG plans in midfield, as all revealed below…

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See you all tomorrow!

15.22pm - Interesting that we seemed to have stepped away from this one - I n…

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Morning all,

I hope you’re having a good week so far. We had a game on yesterday, Xabi Alonso’s first non behind closed doors game as Chelsea boss. The era begins with a 6-4 win for Alonso over in Australia!

I watched the game and covered it in full. You can see my review and player ratings for that game here.

Plenty going on away from the pitch right now as well. So round up all your latest Chelsea news in general from across the last 24 hours in the same place here. Covers all you need to know.

Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck would have been two names that not one person would have linked with Chelsea or expected them to be joining Chelsea, before Monday at least. But now look what has transpired! Madness. But in here, I tell you why I understand the Henderson signing, and back the Welbeck signing.

I had my latest news out on those two joining Chelsea yesterday morning, as well as some alternatives to John Stones, and a bit more info from our sources here.

And I also had a sourced article out on Chelsea’s attempts to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth here. This is a really interesting one that is heating up a lot. Chelsea, in for Scott/another CM, as well as Henderson. I’ve got even more out on this today too very soon, with some BIG midfield plans 👀

See you all on the next Live Blog on the home page at around 8.45am today!

Peace, Si.

Debrief

Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 today over on their Australian tour in what was a pretty decent first game for Xabi Alonso.

It was very much expected in terms of it being a bit all over the place at times, quite end to end, players finding match fitness, and awful bobbly pitch, and against a side who were playing their cup final trying to beat the mighty Chelsea.

WSW presented Chelsea with a fairly good opposition really and as I said, they were fully up for this game and really wanted to win it. Xabi Alonso went for a very young side with many academy players from the off, and it wasn’t until the 63rd minute when he bought on all the big guns. It was very sloppy at times from Chelsea, especially at the back. But the lack of organisation and naivety was expected from such a young and inexperienced side in Chelsea.

Some really good moments, some decent play on some of the goals too, especially the playing out in tight areas, one touch passing to get us from goalkeeper to striker within seconds; that was super impressive. Some excellent finishing as well. As I say, defensively we were horrendous at times, but that is what to expect really in our first pre-season game.

Ratings

Manager

Xabi Alonso - 7

I loved how he was constantly barking orders from the side lines, and I saw him shouting to demand his players press higher all the time. I think he actually got a bit annoyed that they weren’t doing it as much as he wanted too. He took this seriously but also gave many minutes to some academy lads which was nice to see. Made the changes to get the big guns on to win the game for Chelsea at the right time. Played a 4-2-3-1 formation, and it suited the players he picked and the ones that came on.

Players

Teddy Sharman-Lowe - 7

He actually made a few important saves and I think he was mostly pretty good with the ball at his feet too. He was shouting at his players and organising a lot, which I like to see from a goalkeeper. I’d like to have seen him assert more dominance on crosses, and might have done better for one or two goals.

Olutayo Subuloye - 6

He didn’t really do much wrong other than being skinned for their fourth goal. Did the basics well and didn’t look out of place.

Josh Acheampong - 4

Very disappointed with his performance. He was at fault for two of their opening goals, and he didn’t look up to it at all today.

Tosin Adarabioyo - 3

Tosin missed two sitters, one was criminal. But defensively he was like he usually is, a liability and often passing the ball straight to them.

Landon Emenalo - 7.5

Comfortable and assertive in possession. Didn’t put a foot wrong either and he slotted in at left back very well. I heard he was getting plenty of praise from Alonso during and after the game.

Dario Essugo - 7.5

He looked sloppy until about 25 minutes in and not at it at all. But something in him switched and he started driving us forward with the ball, making some neat passes, and scoring a superb goal. Came off at half time.

Reggie Watson - 8.5

Some player this. Looks and plays like a 25-year-old, let alone a 16-year-old. I need to see his passport!!? Assured, confident, and solid - he was putting himself about a lot as well as being very good on the ball and having some top vision for a pass. Impressive player and the only one who played the full game.

Reggie Walsh - 8

Same as the other Reggie and in fact, Jody Morris nailed it on commentary when he said ‘the two Reggie’s are playing very well.’ Carries the ball well, mixes in with the physical battle just fine, and a goal threat too with one long range effort that nearly sailed in. A very good football player.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen - 6

He hit one very good pass for the first goal but was mostly pretty quiet other than that and couldn’t really effect the play or look that threatening.

Dastan Satpayev - 7.5

He took his goal superbly, with a fine and powerful finish into the top corner. He looked quality whenever he got on the ball, but I saw him a little uncomfortable at times when he was hugging the touchline - seems better centrally and further forward.

Liam Delap - 7

I thought it was pretty samey from Delap as last season. He would do something good, get himself into a decent position, then blast his shot way over the bar or wide. He did look strong, quick, and hungry at times though but sometimes I think he’s just so desperate to impress that he over tries.

SUBS

Omari Kellyman for Kavuma-McQueen (HT) - N/A

Came on at half time and taken off after 63 minutes. Yikes, I’d be fuming!! But there was no way Alonso was losing that game, and he needed the big guns on at that point because they had just taken the lead.

Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli for Essugo (HT) - 8

Another one who really caught the eye. Again, a super young player but played with maturity and always wanted the ball. Very comfortable in possession and was pregressive with it too.

Levi Colwill for Acheampong (63 mins) - 6.5

Nice to have some assertiveness and confidence at the back when he came on. Naturally rusty still, but decent showing.

Estevao Willian for Kellyman (63 mins) - 6

Poor pass to gift them a goal, but he was lively too at times. He also looks desperate sometimes to want to do something special and needs to learn to play with a bit of patience and less frustration at times. He’s also just got over a bad injury so some slack there too.

Wesley Fofana for Emenalo (63 mins) - 6.5

Same as Levi, shored up the defence a bit more than his counterparts before him, although that wasn’t difficult because I think even I could have done that!

Joao Pedro for Delap (63 mins) - 10

Wow. This guy can finish!! Came on and bagged a hat-trick to win Chelsea the game, no messing about. He was energetic, came on and drove at defenders, good hold up play, and just showed Delap how to do it once again.

SPTC Man of the Match!

Marco Palestra for Suboloye (63 mins) - 7.5

What a tidy player he is and he has something about him too, with a nice bit of skill over on the right in an attacking area, and a very confident little performance from the new signing.

Robert Sanchez for Sharman-Lowe (63 mins) - 6.5

Didn’t have too much to do but was decent enough at what he did have to do.

Cole Palmer for Satpayev (63 mins) - 7.5

I told you guys he was hungry and happy again, and here he was showing it this morning/afternoon. Full of energy, wanting to make things happen, and using his excellent vision to create chances for us.

Aaron Anselmino for Tosin (63 mins) - 7

He looked very solid actually, and seeing as he was asked to play as a left back, I thought he did very well.

Jamie Gittens for Walsh (63 mins) - 7.5

A lively entrance from Gittens with some superb touches, and then a nice finish to get Chelsea into the game again. I liked his energy and urgency, a real threat.

Conclusion

Well, that might be the longest every match report I have to do in terms of player ratings - Chelsea made 9 subs at once!! We needed our big guns to get the win, but there was some impressive showings from some of the academy lads, and it was also refreshing to see our senior players coming on and looking so hungry and up for it.

Some really good signs in there for sure, even if the defensive frailties continue! Onto Spurs at the weekend, Up the Chels!

Highlights….

Simon Phillips

Be careful what you wish for, eh? We all demanded more experience and more leaders in this squad, and suddenly we get handed Jordan Henderson as a result! It’s almost like a punishment from Chelsea s…

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I had some news out on Sunday regarding Alex Scott of Bournemouth and Chelsea’s attempts to sign him.

Basically, after Chelsea had an offer (£60m base with £15m in add-ons) rejected for Scott, they have gone back into discussions with Bournemouth. As confirmed by our sources, this one is not over.

And further to this, I have some extra info to add to this story now as Chelsea push to land Scott.

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See you all tomorrow, going to run that big midfield transfer story first thing 👀

18.05pm - Using a foreign loan spot here would not be smart in my view

A loan to Strasbourg i…

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When Xabi Alonso first had conversations with the Chelsea owners about taking the manager job at the club, one of the main things he told them was that this squad was talented, but it lacks experience and leadership, and also culture.

Alonso believes that a good club culture involves everyone, from canteen staff to the players on the pitch, and he wants to have leaders and experience all around him.

Chelsea had already decided to tweak their approach in the transfer market and change the project to adapt more to experience, and the fact that Alonso was also saying it, saw them vastly shift and being much more open to bringing in older players.

Obviously they tried for John Stones and Granit Xhaka, but have been unable to land either player. With Stones, Chelsea spoke twice with him. In the second round of talks, Stones was very open to the move to Stamford Bridge. However, he ultimately decided that he just wants to play in another league before he retires, so it was as simple as that really - nothing else Chelsea could have done to convince him to come.

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Morning all,

Hope you’ve had a decent start to the week and guess what? The mighty Xabi Alonso managed Chelsea are playing today!!! I’m actually buzzing for this! 10.45am kick off against Western Sydney Wanderers! Let’s go!!

Keeping the good feelings up and the positive thoughts, I am feeling much more optimistic right now after a good couple of weeks of Chelsea acting like a serious club again. Words on that here. Still waiting on the summer conclusions, of course, but things are looking up for sure. I wrote this before the news of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, but I don’t think my mind changes based off those moves in all honesty - I’ll write more on that today though.

Alonso did a press conference ahead of the game today, so if you haven’t caught that in full yet, you can grab every word here.

I also rounded up all your latest general Chelsea news from across the last 24 hours in the same place here. This covers it all! This covers the crazy and dramatic news that came out yesterday on Henderson and Welbeck!

One issue we still have at this club in my view though is Enzo Fernandez. He’s burned a lot of bridges with many fans, and I personally see no way back for him at Chelsea. Do you? You can read my views on it and vote in some polls here.

Chelsea are calm on the left back situation, and there is some belief that Pep Chavarria will force his move to Stamford Bridge. Get the latest from our sources on that here.

I also put out my latest solo Podcast yesterday, covering a lot of the above and some news on possible new number one goalkeeper. So do check that here if you haven’t already.

See you all on the next Live Blog from around 8.45am today! I’ll also be covering the game too so will have a match report out on that at the final whistle! Excited for that!

Peace, Si.