Former Chelsea and Brazil star David Luiz has made a shock return to European football with Champions League club Pafos FC in Cyprus. The defender left Europe in 2021 after spending two years at Arsenal. He took in spells with Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Fortaleza, but is now back in Europe at the age of 38.
New Chelsea recruit Kendry Paez will spend the season at Strasbourg after arriving in Europe from his native Ecuador, but has been backed to become a superstar in the future.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has reportedly been told by Paris Saint-Germain about their plan to sign Lucas Chevalier from LOSC Lille, leaving the Italian understandably frustrated.
Armando Broja is reportedly on the verge of sealing a permanent transfer to Burnley after the Clarets reached an agreement with Chelsea. The 22-year-old forward has endured a difficult few years, beginning with an Achilles tendon rupture that sidelined him for a lengthy spell. Unfortunately, further misfortune followed when he sustained a significant ankle injury shortly after returning to action.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons has reportedly hit a roadblock, with RB Leipzig refusing to accept any Blues players as part of a swap deal. The German club is holding firm on a £60 million price tag for the Dutch star. Talks are ongoing as Simons looks to leave after the Bundesliga side missed out on Champions League football for the upcoming season.
Chelsea reportedly want Marc Cucurella to play an important role in helping Jorrel Hato settle into the Premier League. The Blues are on the verge of securing the services of the Dutch teenage defender from Ajax, with the two clubs finally settling on a fee that surpasses the €40 million (£34m/$46m) mark. The 19-year-old is expected to undergo a medical soon before becoming part of Enzo Maresca’s evolving Chelsea squad.
Former Chelsea player and manager Roberto Di Matteo has compared Cole Palmer to Eden Hazard, while claiming the England international could win the Ballon d'Or in the future. The 23-year-old recently starred with a brace in the Club World Cup final as Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the title.