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ChelseaSummary
Generated byChelsea enter the 2026/27 Premier League season under Xabi Alonso, and Monday night's trip to Craven Cottage is the first real test of what his project looks like in a competitive setting. The Spaniard has reshaped the squad over the summer, bringing in Marco Palestra, Maxence Lacroix, Geovany Quenda and blockbuster signing Morgan Rogers, who arrived from Aston Villa for £117 million. Alonso has been particularly vocal about Palestra, describing the Italian-schooled defender as offering "something different" to his group ahead of the Fulham opener.
The most significant off-pitch development of the week was Joao Pedro signing an eight-year contract extension, keeping the Brazilian forward at Stamford Bridge until 2034. The 24-year-old had attracted serious interest from Barcelona, but reassuring conversations with Alonso proved decisive. His commitment gives Chelsea a reliable attacking focal point as the new era begins.
The squad picture is less clean elsewhere. Wesley Fofana misses the Fulham game through suspension, while Aaron Anselmino and Emanuel Emegha are both sidelined through injury. On the outgoing side, Benoit Badiashile has joined Napoli on loan with a €20 million buy option, Axel Disasi is closing in on a temporary move to Crystal Palace, and Marc Guiu is being tracked by Sevilla after losing his squad number. Mykhailo Mudryk remains in limbo after Chelsea rejected an initial loan approach from Leeds United, with talks continuing. Chelsea head into the opener yet to play a competitive minute, sitting 11th in the early standings with everything still to prove.
Chelsea Overview
Standings
Premier League
Premier League| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 |  Liverpool | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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| 10 |  Newcastle United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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| 11 |  Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 12 |  Fulham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 13 |  AFC Bournemouth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
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Frequently asked questions
Chelsea were founded on March 10, 1905, following Gus Mears' acquisition of the Stamford Bridge in 1904. Several names were put up for consideration: Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC, and London FC. However, all these names were rejected and the name Chelsea F.C. was finally selected.
Chelsea are co-owned by an American consortium consisting of Todd Boehly, Mark Walter. Hansjorg Wyss, and Behdad Eghbali-led Clearlake Capital. Boehly, Walter, and Wyss each own a 12.8% stake in the club, while Clearlake Capital are the majority shareholder with a 61.5% stake.
Chelsea's stadium is known as the Stamford Bridge and has been the club's home venue ever since their inception in 1905. Interestingly, the Stamford Bridge was owned by a separate company after businessman Ken Bates bought the club in the 1980s, when they were on the verge of bankruptcy and stuck in the second division. In 1992, however, after a long-fought legal battle and a 'Save The Bridge' campaign from the fans, Chelsea regained ownership of the stadium.
The Stamford Bridge has a capacity of around 40,000.
Chelsea have won an impressive 32 trophies throughout their history, including two Champions League titles and six English top-flight titles.
Chelsea have won the English top flight on six occasions, with their most recent title coming at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Legendary defender Ron Harris holds the record for making the most appearances for Chelsea, featuring for the club in 795 games, ahead of Peter Bonetti and John Terry. The latter two are the only other players along with Harris to make over 700 appearances for the club.
Frank Lampard, arguably the greatest Chelsea player ever, is the club's leading goalscorer of all-time, netting the ball into the net 211 times in 648 games. The fact that he was a midfielder makes the feat all the more impressive.
Didier Drogba, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Claude Makelele, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, and David Luiz are some of the most famous players to have represented Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Maurizio Sarri are among the biggest managerial names to have been a part of Chelsea's eminent history.
Chelsea are called The Blues, which is a reference to the colour of their kit since the early 20th century.