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ChelseaSummary
Generated byXabi Alonso has hit the ground running as Chelsea manager, but his first weeks in charge have raised as many questions as they have answered. A chaotic 6-4 pre-season win over Western Sydney Wanderers gave him a winning start, with Joao Pedro scoring a dramatic late hat-trick to seal the result. The attacking intent was clear, though four goals conceded against lower-level opposition left Alonso with defensive concerns to address before the Premier League season begins.
The transfer window is where the new era is taking its clearest shape. Alonso has already confirmed more signings are coming, with a specific plan to integrate British record signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer. Teammate Jamie Gittens has backed Rogers to be a title-winning addition. Chelsea are also closing in on a £52 million deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, a move that has drawn scrutiny from club legend Marcel Desailly. The most surprising business, though, involves veteran experience. Danny Welbeck is set to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea are also pursuing Jordan Henderson on a free transfer. Alonso is clearly targeting maturity and Premier League know-how to complement his young core, a sharp departure from the club's recent recruitment habits.
Out the door, Alejandro Garnacho has joined Aston Villa on loan after a difficult spell, while Marc Cucurella's £52 million move to Real Madrid is now complete. Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur next in pre-season on August 1, a useful early test of Alonso's evolving squad.
Chelsea Overview
Standings
Premier League
Premier League| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |  Brentford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 5 |  Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 6 |  Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 7 |  Coventry City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 8 |  Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.