Despite enduring an intense summer campaign in the United States for the expanded Club World Cup, Chelsea have not been granted any scheduling leniency by the Premier League. The Blues are set to kick off their 2025-26 league season at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 17, just over a month after completing their Club World Cup final in New Jersey.
Joao Felix and Ben Chilwell are among several Chelsea unwanted players who have reported back to Cobham this week as part of pre-season preparations, as revealed by The Athletic. With the Bluesā first-team staff currently in the United States for the Club World Cup, the group of returning players underwent routine medical checks and physical evaluations on Monday, followed by their first full training session on Tuesday.
Chelsea legend Thiago Silva, who returned to Fluminense this summer after four remarkable years in London, was recognised in heartfelt fashion by his former club following the Club World Cup semi-final clash. The Premier League outfit progressed to the final riding on the brilliance of Joao Pedro who dazzled with a pair of exceptional goals, one in each half, to seal the victory.
Joao Pedro made a "dream" debut for Chelsea as he scored a brace in the club's 2-0 win over Fluminense in the Club World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday. Pedro issued an apology to his boyhood club but expressed his delight after firing Chelsea into the final in his first game since joining the Blues from Brighton.
Joao Pedro wasted no time making an impact at Chelsea, scoring a stunning brace on his first start in their Club World Cup semi-final clash against Fluminense. The Brazilian forward, who spent his formative football years with the Rio-based club, showed both class and composure with a curling strike from outside the box, and followed up with a superb drive from 18 yards.
Bayern Munich are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze as part of their summer rebuild. Nkunku arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 with high expectations after a standout spell with RB Leipzig. However, the French international has endured a challenging period in west London, with injuries and inconsistent form severely limiting his impact.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has backed Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez to join the Blues this summer, claiming the Argentine could be an "inspiration" in their dressing room. Martinez appeared to bid a tearful goodbye to Aston Villa fans after their final home game of the 2024-25 campaign against Tottenham in May, though he has yet to publicly confirm he wants to leave the club.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claimed that European clubs came to the Club World Cup after gruelling campaigns compared to South American teams but was left speechless when it was pointed out that the Blues' semi-final opponents, Fluminense, have played more matches than them since the summer of 2024. Chelsea appeared in 63 matches across all competitions before heading to the United States.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Noni Madueke will play in the Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense despite being linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer. The winger has featured in all of the Blues' Club World Cup matches thus far, including the quarter-final win against Palmeiras, where he came on as a substitute in the second half.
Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian rejected a chance to join up with Blues squad for the remainder of the Club World Cup in the US as he wanted to bid a proper goodbye to his boyhood club Palmeiras. The youngster scored in his final game for the Brazilian side against his future club but they crashed out of the competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea
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