Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has voiced concerns over the state of the club, suggesting that several key pillars of the first team are becoming disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge. Following a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman believes a summer exodus could be on the cards for the Blues' biggest names.
The ownership of Chelsea has been a hot topic of debate ever since they were formed in 1905, with the main purpose of the club being to simply fill the redeveloped Stamford Bridge stadium. When Roman Abramovich took over from Ken Bates in 2003, he pumped in billions to buy the world's best players and improve the infrastructure. It led to the Blues becoming a force in the Premier League and across Europe, but those days are over.
The 12 games of the Thomas Tuchel era have yielded mixed results and performances from England. They remain one of the best sides in international football, even if they haven't played particularly well for extended stretches since the Sir Gareth Southgate era. That said, they are among the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup for several reasons.
The road to the 2026 World Cup is almost over for England. The next time the Three Lions convene, they will do so for two pre-tournament friendlies in the United States, against Costa Rica and New Zealand, before kicking-off their tournament against Croatia on June 17. They will do so as one of the favourites to go all the way, with the pressure on Thomas Tuchel and his players to finally end 60 years of hurt.
It's never easy with the England men's national team. On paper, they should have enough quality, experience and firepower to blow most sides on this planet to smithereens. Then you sit down, watch them and wonder whether they are actually a team of total strangers assembled purely out of spite to mildly annoy the fans who had hoped so much of them. On the basis of their March friendlies, it would be a fair assumption to make.
England's last game before the end of the 2025-26 club season saw them lose 1-0 at home to Japan in a friendly on Tuesday. Thomas Tuchel made 10 changes to the side that started their 1-1 draw with Uruguay last Friday, slotting in most of his preferred players that are expected to go to the World Cup - minus the unfit Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham - but they produced a disjointed performances that raised further questions over their chances of glory this summer.
Manchester United have been told that any move for Cole Palmer would require a staggering £200 million ($265m) transfer fee. Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair believes the England international remains one of the Premier League's elite talents despite a season hampered by fitness issues. However, Sinclair suggested that failing to secure Champions League football could force the playmaker to consider his future at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer is said to be 'increasingly disillusioned' with life at Chelsea and is reportedly ready to consider a blockbuster summer move away from Stamford Bridge. The England international is attracting serious interest from several European heavyweights and he is a primary target for Manchester United, with the Red Devils long tipped as a destination for Palmer.
As the paper aeroplanes took flight around Wembley Stadium early in the first half of this eventual 1-1 draw between England and Uruguay, the fans were showing that they had already lost their interest. It looked like the players were also phoning it in and some needed reminding that not only was a World Cup just around the corner, but that their place at the tournament was far from guaranteed.
Could 2026 finally, FINALLY be England’s year?! Nike have got us believing after dropping the Three Lions’ home and away kits with the World Cup fast approaching. Harnessing the power of the national team at a major tournament, they have captured the mood of a country that is crying out for a unifying moment. Bring on June.
Thomas Tuchel has issued a blunt "pressure" warning to Cole Palmer, warning the Chelsea superstar that his place in the England starting XI for the World Cup is far from guaranteed. The German coach insists that the playmaker must prove his worth in the international setup following an injury-hit campaign.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has caused a stir by omitting Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer from his predicted England starting line-up for the 2026 World Cup. The former Three Lions striker has instead opted for a selection based on current form and tactical balance.
Liam Rosenior has confirmed he is holding "detailed" transfer talks with Chelsea's hierarchy despite growing pressure on his position as head coach. The Blues boss insists his stars are committed to the project as he plots a major squad overhaul alongside co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer could be tempted by a sensational return to north west to play for the club he supported as a boy, Manchester United, according to Chris Waddle. However, the former England star has raised concerns over whether the forward would even secure a guaranteed spot in the Red Devils' starting line-up, given the fierce creative competition at Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has identified Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique as the "dream" candidate to lead the Red Devils, though he remains keen on seeing former midfielder Michael Carrick given a chance. Speaking on the future of the hot seat at Old Trafford, Evra suggested that Enrique’s tactical genius and personal resilience make him an ideal fit for the scrutiny of the Premier League.
Cole Palmer has taken the Premier League by storm since making his brave £42.5 million move from Manchester City to Chelsea in the summer of 2023, but former team-mate Oscar Bobb claims he saw this breakout coming. While many onlookers were shocked by the speed of his ascent to becoming one of the league's most clinical attackers, those who grew up alongside him in the prestigious City Football Academy foresaw this long ago.