Chelsea Transfers

[OneMoSalah 9,104]

8 hours ago, Strike said:

 

75m for someone who hasn't had the best of seasons

Too old for BlueCo.

[Vesper 31,105]

How can Chelsea progress under the BlueCo ownership? | Transfer Talk Podcast

Sky Sports News

On this week's episode of the Transfer Talk Podcast, Kaveh Solhekol and Sam Tighe joins Pete Graves to discuss the latest ongoinbg of Chelsea. With a new manager on the top of the wishlist, how can Chelsea progress under the BlueCo ownership?

Intro -  0:00 - 3:29
Downing tools - 3:30 - 10:25
'Unpopular Rosenior' - 10:26 - 12:44
Manager type - 12:45 - 18:04
New manager have control? - 18:05 - 19:43
Who runs Chelsea? - 19:44 - 21:24
BlueCo positives - 21:25 - 23:04
Cost on missing UCL - 23:05 - 25:42
Hit or miss signings - 25:43 - 35:09
Measuring success - 35:10 - 38:26
Chelsea's selling power - 38:27 - 43:45
Enzo's future - 42:46 - 53:14 

[Vesper 31,105]

23 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Too old for BlueCo.

he is 25yo

turns 26 next February

so technically is not too old for BlueCo until the summer 2028 window

[Vesper 31,105]

Sources: Chelsea present Strasbourg to Liam Delap

His situation goes a bit up in the air now

https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-Chelsea-present-strasbourg

It was reported yesterday that Chelsea striker Liam Delap wants to STAY at the club and fight for his place.

I’m not sure whether that is just a rally cry from their side, or something more to it, but I believe Delap will be listening to any other offer that comes in due to his lack of playing time at Chelsea and also, the fact that the club are also bringing in another striker in the summer, whether that be Emmanuel Emegha or another name.

Chelsea have been looking at options for Delap because they have been unhappy with his progress so far.

SPTC Sources understand that one of those options is to send him to Strasbourg, likely on a loan move.

Chelsea have ‘presented’ Delap to Strasbourg, but so far the striker has ‘rejected every attempt’ of that proposal.

Delap’s agents are taking interest from other clubs, so I certainly would not be confident in saying he is going to be staying at Chelsea this summer. Joao Pedro is going to be starting games still as we see this season out, and Delap has not done anywhere near enough to prove himself to Chelsea.

I only see an exit this summer, but it could now be a loan move. A this moment though, unless he is convinced otherwise going forward, that will not be to Strasbourg.

[Vesper 31,105]

Chelsea CONFIDENTIAL: Who's staying and who's going? Every Chelsea player's future from the sulking £70m man who isn't justifying his huge salary to the 'good character' the club need to tie down

https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15775619/Chelsea-squad-summer-transfers.html

https://archive.ph/JA6EI

Chelsea are approaching yet another summer reset. They will need a new head coach, of course, but the club are also anticipating a busy window of signings, sales and loans.

There are big decisions to be made in the build-up, on Enzo Fernandez, Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap and more.

So, having been in and around the club all season, having heard whispers and seen relationships blossom and fade, for this week’s Chelsea Confidential, we predict what will happen with every squad member.

Anyone who has played a single minute in the Premier League for Chelsea this season is listed below – with a few bonus additions at the bottom – alongside whether the club will sell, loan or keep and our reasoning for each.

 

 

ENZO FERNANDEZ – KEEP

Fernandez wants a new contract out of Chelsea – similar to those handed to Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Cole Palmer and so on – and we understand the club will reopen talks over terms after the end of this season to see if they can come to an agreement. 

Chelsea sources aren’t commenting too much on Fernandez’s situation right now, however. The response you will receive to such enquiries is that their focus is on their coaching search. But once they have secured Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso or Sebastian Hoeness – whoever it winds up being – they will need to address what happens with their £106.8million man this summer. 

Fernandez was banned for two games by his own club for flirting with Real Madrid in the last international break, and then he was back to wearing the captain’s armband again, including in their FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds at Wembley. That was the box-crashing Fernandez at his motivated best – just the latest example of him scoring an important goal in an important game. 

If a deal can be struck this summer which satisfies both Chelsea and Fernandez, then everyone wins in my opinion, because the bottom line is they are a better team with him than without him.

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Chelsea are a better team with Enzo Fernandez than without him - but the Argentine wants a new and improved contract  

WESLEY FOFANA – SELL

Fofana is fit again after his injury hell, but we expected more from the 25-year-old once healthy at Chelsea. He was hooked at half-time in their 3-0 thumping by Brighton last week, then an unused substitute in the FA Cup semi-final win against Leeds, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah preferred as a centre-back pairing.

Confidence in Fofana has clearly dwindled, his sulking not helping during their ridiculous losing run. When Chelsea interim Calum McFarlane was explaining why he selected Tosin for Leeds, he spoke of how sorry he felt for Jorrel Hato, with Fofana practically demoted to an afterthought in his answer. 

You have to go back to December 13, in a 2-0 win over Everton, to find the last time this defender on more than £200,000 per week started in a Premier League game and kept a clean sheet. Sell if there is a buyer this summer.

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You have to go back to December 13, in a 2-0 win over Everton, to find the last time Wesley Fofana started in a league game and kept a clean sheet

 

 

ROBERT SANCHEZ – KEEP

There is a goalkeeper at Chelsea who I would let go, but it would not be Sanchez. Mike Penders is scheduled to arrive from Strasbourg this summer, but there are some reservations over whether he is ready for such a step up, and a temptation to allow him another season away on loan.

Regardless of whether Penders stays or goes, I’d keep Sanchez. He's not the greatest goalkeeper with his feet but a hell of a shot-stopper, as evidenced at Wembley. Why Liam Rosenior felt the need to crush his confidence by suddenly dropping him during his doomed 106-day tenure, when he had hardly committed any blunders in goal for Chelsea this season, I’ll never understand. 

It created a problem where previously there was not one.

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Robert Sanchez is not the greatest goalkeeper with his feet but is one hell of a shot-stopper

 

 

MAMADOU SARR – LOAN

I feel for Sarr. There he was, happily playing and performing for Strasbourg, then he was asked to rejoin Rosenior at Chelsea in January. 

We have seen something similar before. Enzo Maresca comes in, and he gets someone he knows in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Rosenior comes in, and he gets Sarr, whom he once described as ‘my son’. 

He was impressive in his first start versus Hull in the FA Cup, but struggled somewhat in the odd appearance thereafter, including the 3-0 Champions League last-16 second-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old was hooked at half-time in that defeat, and hasn’t been seen since. 

Josh Acheampong, 19, replaced him against PSG, and is higher in Chelsea’s thinking, coming on as a substitute a few times while Sarr remained unused. Get the lad a loan this summer so he can progress.

 

 

TREVOH CHALOBAH – KEEP

Chelsea want to sign a central defender this summer. They missed out on Jeremy Jacquet, the 20-year-old of Rennes who is Liverpool-bound, but Jan Paul van Hecke at Brighton and Maxence Lacroix at Crystal Palace are among the more experienced options this summer. 

In Chalobah, Chelsea have a handy centre-back option. Chelsea filmed their players walking into the Wembley changing room after beating Leeds, and Chalobah was kissing the badge to the camera. He loves the club, is one of their own, and should stay.

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Trevoh Chalobah loves the club, is one of their own, and should stay

 

 

PEDRO NETO – KEEP

The 26-year-old isn’t a fan favourite, and he can be inconsistent with sending himself down cul-de-sacs on the flank, but he is an experienced attacker who can still be impactful when the tactical set-up allows. Only Joao Pedro (25) and Fernandez (19) have more goal contributions in all competitions than Neto (18) this season. 

He has done enough to stay. That doesn’t mean starting him in every single match. Estevao Willian may get more minutes, for example, raw though he is at 19. But Neto can still have a role to play, on the right wing or the left.

 

 

MOISES CAICEDO – KEEP

Obviously. Chelsea have just handed Caicedo an improved contract. It did not add a great deal of years – he’s now tied down until 2033 – but it keeps him happy.

 

 

JOAO PEDRO – KEEP

Obviously, again. Joao Pedro is my nomination for Chelsea's Player of the Year. 

I get why Fernandez was named man of the match against Leeds at Wembley. He grabbed the game’s only goal as the captain. But I handed my highest player rating to Joao Pedro. He’s scored 19 goals and assisted six in his first season in all competitions – a £60m bargain from Brighton.

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Striker Joao Pedro has been a £60million bargain from Brighton - scoring 19 goals and assisting six more

 

 

LIAM DELAP – SELL

I interviewed Delap after he was signed by Chelsea from Ipswich last summer, while we were with the club in the United States, and came out of that conversation sincerely hoping it would work for him. Unfortunately, it hasn’t. 

He’s had to deal with injuries and managerial changes. He knew Maresca from Manchester City’s academy. He knew Rosenior from Hull. Now he is working with McFarlane, and yet another head coach will arrive this summer. 

Delap wants to stay, and prove people like me wrong, but this summer Chelsea will have Emmanuel Emegha, 23, coming in from Strasbourg and Nicolas Jackson, 24, returning from Bayern Munich. More on Jackson later. There is also Joao Pedro, and Marc Guiu. 

Chelsea cannot keep them all, and Delap could be moved on for his own sake, so he can find a new home with game-time and, hopefully, score some goals. 

He would not be the first forward to be moved on after a single season. He wouldn't even be the first forward at Chelsea. They have a history of signing goalscorers who, for one reason or another, never found their groove. It happened to Chris Sutton in 1999-2000. He scored one goal in 28 Premier League games, then was sold to Celtic, where he thrived. 

Delap has one in 25, and zero assists. After costing £30m, Chelsea could still get back a good whack of their fee in the next window.

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Liam Delap's move to Chelsea has not worked out for him. He’s had to deal with injuries and managerial changes and has just one goal in 25 matches

 

 

MARC CUCURELLA - KEEP

Cucurella will only have two years remaining on his contract as of this summer, which is usually when Chelsea either extend or sell. 

Jorrel Hato was signed primarily to deputise for Cucurella at left back, though he has impressed while filling in as a central defender. If the 27-year-old Spaniard were willing, and I believe he is, he could be tied down for longer rather than seeking to sell. Good player. Good character. Chelsea need more of those. Not less.

 

 

MALO GUSTO - KEEP

I can understand why Gusto would want a new and improved contract of his own. His contribution is underrated and underappreciated. In the Club World Cup final against PSG, for example, his movements down the right-hand side allowed Cole Palmer to drift inside and do what he did. 

I'm not saying Gusto suddenly deserves crazy money, but he is a handy utility player to have in the squad. He can play on the right side of the defence, or the left. He can invert, or fly down the flank. He can be used in midfield if necessary. Gusto stays.

 

 

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – SELL

It just hasn’t worked. The left wing is practically cursed for Chelsea. Mykhailo Mudryk: cost £89m, now suspended from football for failing a doping test, hasn't played since November 28, 2024. 

Raheem Sterling: cost £50m, sent into the bomb squad, left via an agreement to end his contract early. 

Jadon Sancho: joined on loan, club paid £5m to not sign him after his one and only season in blue. 

Jamie Gittens: cost £52m, no goals in the Premier League, two assists, injured since January. 

Garnacho was signed for £40m from Manchester United, and when the fans at Wembley realised he was being replaced by Palmer for the final 20 minutes against Leeds, there were a fair few cheers. 

Unfortunately for Garnacho, who seems a nice enough chap despite his reputation, and for Chelsea, they aren’t meant for one another. There is time to recoup a good chunk of his fee this summer. He will still have his buyers.

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Unfortunately for Alejandro Garnacho, who seems a nice enough chap despite his reputation, and for Chelsea, they aren’t meant for one another

 

 

JAMIE GITTENS – KEEP

Garnacho has had enough chances to impress, whereas Gittens hasn’t, largely due to his hamstring injury. Surely Chelsea will see if next season goes any better for the 21-year-old. You suspect Chelsea would struggle to recoup anywhere near their £52m spend right now, anyhow.

 

 

REECE JAMES – KEEP

I did find it amusing when James did that press conference at Cobham alongside Rosenior, who told us: ‘I can't stop smiling because we've secured the best player in world football in his position.’ 

The next day, James started in midfield, rather than as a right back. Anyway, that presser was conducted after Chelsea tied James down to his new deal until 2032, so the club captain is going nowhere, and that is good news.

 

 

COLE PALMER – KEEP

Hasn’t been his season, with injuries holding him back. Despite the constant links with Manchester United, Palmer himself has insisted it’s hogwash and that he isn’t itching to leave. 

Chelsea need Palmer back to his best. Hopefully he can get fully healthy – we will soon see if Thomas Tuchel takes him to the World Cup with England – and Chelsea’s next manager can inspire a better version than the one we have seen in 2025-26.

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Despite the constant links with Manchester United, Cole Palmer himself has insisted it’s hogwash and that he isn’t itching to leave Chelsea

 

 

JORREL HATO – KEEP

Amid Chelsea’s ridiculously awful run – five league losses without scoring for the first time since 1912 – Hato was one of the few who came out of it with any credit. Almost as if he did not get the memo to stop playing for Rosenior. 

He was unfortunate not to start against Leeds at Wembley and his willingness to step up and show his abilities has been good to see.

 

 

TOSIN ADARABIOYO – SELL

Tosin doesn’t start often for Chelsea but I’ve seen, from my position in the press box behind the bench, how he is prone to standing up and shouting tactical instructions at team-mates. 

Perhaps that was partly why we saw McFarlane rely on him in their FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds, and why, during that cheeky Sanchez-enforced tactical time-out, it was Tosin who the interim was largely speaking with. 

However, his ability as a player should be prioritised, first and foremost, and Tosin, while perhaps helpful as a presence around the squad, would have his takers elsewhere in the Premier League. 

Nathan Ake and John Stones are set to be available this summer if another elder statesman is required, and personally, I don’t think either would be a bad acquisition. Stones less so given his recent injury history.

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Tosin Adarabioyo (centre) wouldn't be short of suitors if Chelsea decided to move him on in the summer

 

 

DARIO ESSUGO – LOAN

After missing most of the season through a thigh injury which required surgery, he returned in March, and, in his few appearances, the 21-year-old Essugo has impressed. But he needs game time, and that will not come at Chelsea with their other midfield options.

 

 

ANDREY SANTOS – KEEP

Maresca used him sparingly, then when Rosenior arrived, we saw more of Santos. However, those starts in January and February soon dried up, and he’s now back to playing a supportive role. 

With Essugo being loaned as above, I’d keep Santos as a midfield option, though we will also need to see if Chelsea are successful in signing one of the midfielders they want this summer. As reported here, they are watching Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace and Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest.

 

 

ESTEVAO WILLIAN – KEEP

It's such a shame that a hamstring injury has ended his season for Chelsea, and potentially his World Cup with Brazil. At 19, he brings the excitement, and we’ll all look forward to watching him again in 2026-27.

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It's such a shame that a hamstring injury has ended Estevao's season for Chelsea

 

 

JOSH ACHEAMPONG – LOAN

One of Chelsea’s own. We’ve had managers tell us how much they love Acheampong, 19. Maresca said it. Rosenior said it. But two starts since January is not enough. If this truly is an elite defender in waiting, then he needs to play much more than he is. 

Chelsea have turned down approaches from rivals in the past. He's long been on Bayern Munich's radar. Get him on loan to a Premier League club for next season, and slap a recall clause in there if it isn’t working by January.

 

 

BENOIT BADIASHILE – SELL

Can you remember the last time Badiashile made a Chelsea matchday squad? Well, it was March 14, as an unused substitute in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle. He joined for £35m from Monaco in January 2023, and this summer should see him make his exit.

 

 

ROMEO LAVIA – KEEP

Yes, I know, he’s forever injured. Except, he isn’t right now, and I’m an optimist who hopes he can stay healthy. He returned at the start of March, and is still available today, so he should get one last crack at making something of his Chelsea career. 

The club are clearly taking it easy after his latest comeback. He’s yet to complete a full 90 and was signed in 2023 for an initial £53m. He's got the talent. He’s only 22 years old still. He can still turn this around.

 

 

FILIP JORGENSEN – SELL

Jorgensen hasn't shown enough to convince that he’s going to be up to the standards of Chelsea. 

Rosenior gambled by axing Sanchez after a 2-1 loss at Arsenal, and it backfired, big time. They won 4-1 at Aston Villa in their next outing, but then lost 5-2 to PSG, with Jorgensen largely at fault for that implosion, and he hasn’t been seen since because of a groin injury. 

That has given Teddy Sharman-Lowe some time around the first-team squad, at least. Sanchez is much more trusted between the posts than Jorgensen.

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When Chelsea lost 5-2 to PSG, Jorgensen was largely at fault for that implosion and he hasn’t been seen since because of a groin injury

 

 

MARC GUIU – LOAN

Another player I pity. He was recalled from his loan to Sunderland as an emergency because Chelsea were lacking strikers with Delap injured and Jackson having already travelled to Munich to finalise his loan move. 

Clearly, they initially sent Guiu elsewhere as he needed to gain experience to improve. The 20-year-old isn’t getting that game time at Chelsea, where Joao Pedro has cemented himself as the No 9. Guiu is a bundle of energy when leading the line, but still raw in the extreme. Loan him again this summer and see how he goes.

 

 

AND A FEW BONUS VERDICTS:  

LEVI COLWILL – KEEP

He hasn’t played a single minute for Chelsea's senior side this season because of the ACL injury he endured on the very first day of pre-season training last summer. But the 23-year-old played a full 90 for the Under 21s on Saturday, completed 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match the week before, and is continuing to train fully with the first team. 

We should see Colwill back in the senior squad soon, even if only to remind him of that matchday experience after so long on the sidelines. McFarlane will update us on that one at his Friday press conference this week.

 

 

NICOLAS JACKSON – KEEP

Bayern Munich are not set to sign Jackson permanently once his season-long loan is up, so he is scheduled to return to Chelsea, and if all parties are willing to let bygones be bygones, that is where I would keep him. 

Jackson’s relationship with Maresca broke down entirely by the end. I recall once being told by a source close to the striker that he would not play for Chelsea again while he remained head coach. But Maresca is not there now. 

Maybe the club and player will come to the conclusion that too much has happened for him to remain, but when you already own a striker who could clearly improve your squad, I see more sense in keeping him than selling or loaning. Certainly he would have been a better option than Delap has been.

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Nicolas Jackson in action for Bayern Munich. But the German club will not be keeping the Chelsea loanee beyond the summer

 

 

AXEL DISASI – SELL

Since Chelsea last kept a Premier League clean sheet on January 17, Disasi has helped West Ham secure five shutouts in his 10 starts. He’s been a warrior for the Hammers as they fight to retain their status. Yet there is no hope of reconciliation after the way he was banished. The ideal scenario for Chelsea is that West Ham survive and agree to sign him permanently.

 

 

CALUM McFARLANE – KEEP

Whoever agrees to become the next boss of Chelsea, I suspect he will be asked for his permission to allow McFarlane to continue on his coaching staff. 

While football can be a callous business, we should not see the club hire a new head coach and then say toodleoo to the bloke they appointed as their interim. I’m sure they will find a role somewhere in the first-team set-up.

 

[Pizy 19,280]

Despite how extremely underwhelming they’ve been, I actually don’t think it’ll be difficult to find interested clubs in the likes of Delap and Garnacho. The problem will be getting back what we paid for them. Delap being English and having proven on a smaller stage that he can score goals in the PL I think finding him a destination will be easy. I can already imagine that the usual bunch of Italian clubs will be after Garnacho with their typical cheap ass offers of a loan.

It’s still crazy that everyone and their mother knew that Gittens and Garnacho were bang average players and yet these jokers running our club went PURELY with the “data” and analytics instead of the eye test. We paid double for each of them than what they were actually worth and now it’ll likely be impossible to not take huge losses on them.

I can foresee something similar happening with some of our unwanted players that did with Jackson where the price we will demand is WAY higher than any club in Europe will be willing to pay. 

[Special Juan 28,765]

Garnacho will end up abroad, Delap in a skip.

[Vesper 31,105]

Chelsea

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/195912213/Chelsea

• Andoni Iraola has indicated he’d be open to taking the Chelsea manager’s job following reports of contacts between the Blues and his representatives. (Football Insider)

• How Jose Mourinho’s likely return as Real Madrid manager could impact Chelsea and other clubs in a changing market. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)

• Liam Delap could leave Chelsea after just one season, with the west London giants open to selling the striker amid interest from Everton. (Football Insider)

• Chelsea and Liverpool are showing a strong interest in signing Norwegian midfield wonderkid Eirik Granaas this summer. (TEAMtalk)

• Chelsea are up against Manchester City for an exciting Bundesliga youngster - full story here!

[mkh 759]

🗯🔵Chelsea have opened talks to try to extend Trevoh Chalobah’s contract. (@NicoSchira)

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

💥🔵Chelsea CONTACTS NATHAN AKE'S AGENT REGARDING A SUMMER TRANSFER.

(@SimonPhillips)

😵‍💫😵‍💫

[DDA 10,238]

14 minutes ago, mkh said:

🗯🔵Chelsea have opened talks to try to extend Trevoh Chalobah’s contract. (@NicoSchira)

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

💥🔵Chelsea CONTACTS NATHAN AKE'S AGENT REGARDING A SUMMER TRANSFER.

(@SimonPhillips)

😵‍💫😵‍💫

Just what need, another lightweight midget for a defender. Glad to see the SD’s are using their loafs this summer….

[bigbluewillie 1,979]

This has popped itt's head up again...

Everton look set to revive their interest in Chelsea forward Liam Delap, 23,

[bigbluewillie 1,979]

And this from the fucking delusional board...

Chelsea believe they could get up to £60m for 24-year-old Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, who has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich. (Athletic - subscription required), external

[Pizy 19,280]

I wonder if the Barco move is still on after Rosenior departed. I’m seeing all the quality PL midfielders being heavily linked with our rivals so Barco remains a great and easy option that allows us to avoid having to compete with the likes of City, Liverpool, and United for others.

Seems Wharton is wanted by Liverpool, Elliot Anderson is probably City bound, and United want multiple new CM’s with Tonali looking plausible. Don’t think we can even think of competing for these players in our current state.

[YorkshireBlue 3,345]

2 hours ago, bigbluewillie said:

And this from the fucking delusional board...

Chelsea believe they could get up to £60m for 24-year-old Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, who has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Did you see how much strand Larsen went for? 

[Vesper 31,105]

Chelsea

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/196034896/Chelsea

• Andoni Iraola is a top target for both Manchester United and Chelsea, but the Blues are currently understood to be further ahead in the running after holding talks with the Bournemouth manager’s representatives. (Mark Brus, CaughtOffside)

• Xabi Alonso is open to taking the Chelsea job as long as he’s given a decent amount of ‘control’ in the role. (Simon Phillips)

• Chelsea are working hard to hire Porto manager Francesco Farioli, but the Italian tactician is not convinced about managing the Blues. (TEAMtalk)

• Nicolas Jackson can leave Chelsea this summer, with the Blues confident they could bank as much as £60m from selling the Senegalese striker permanently. (the Athletic)

• Chelsea could look to replace Robert Sanchez with this exciting goalkeeper signing this summer - full story here!

• Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the only two signings he was involved in during his time as Chelsea manager. (the Overlap)

[Vesper 31,105]

EXCL: Liverpool & Man United ready to pounce for £80m Premier League star Micky van de Ven as he plans talks over his future

It's hard to see him staying where he is...

https://thedailybriefing.io/p/micky-van-de-ven-liverpool-united-transfer

Liverpool and Manchester United are on alert as this big-name Premier League star is set to make a decision over his future this summer.

Micky van de Ven is expected to be one of the numerous names to watch this summer as Tottenham continue to flirt with relegation. Spurs remain in the bottom three at the time of writing, and there is already plenty of speculation about how they’ll be able to keep their stars.

It’s important to start this by saying that I’ve spoken to numerous sources in the last few days and the clear message is that Van de Ven is not deciding anything now and not holding talks with any clubs at the moment, with his full focus being on helping Tottenham stay up.

Meanwhile, Spurs sources point towards the Netherlands international’s contract until 2029, with no desire to let an important player go, and no pressure to do so as there’s no release clause in his current deal.

Liverpool and Manchester United interested in Micky van de Ven

Still, it is my understanding that Van de Ven could discuss his future with the Tottenham hierarchy at the end of the season. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that things haven’t really gone to plan for the 25-year-old during his time in north London.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“Van de Ven will meet with Tottenham at the end of the season, whether they stay up or not,” one source said. “For now his full focus is on keeping them in the Premier League, but he’ll be aware that clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United are interested, and that could put pressure on Tottenham.”

Both the Reds and the Red Devils are exploring the market for central defenders this summer, and Van de Ven is understood to feature on their lists after his strong form during his time in England, combined with the fact that he might be available if THFC get relegated.

Even if Spurs stay up, it could be tricky for them to persuade the player to stay, though some sources are also insisting he won’t come cheap. Depending on who you talk to, it could cost anywhere between £60-80m to prise Van de Ven out of Tottenham this summer, while his wage demands are also high - possibly as much as £200,000 per week.

Who else could be in the race for Micky van de Ven?

Finally, I’d also keep an eye on Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Los Blancos are making a centre-back a top priority this summer and, like Liverpool, have known about Van de Ven since his Wolfsburg days.

Bayern are not currently thought to be making a central defender one of their main targets, but that could change if Kim Min-jae leaves.

Overall, this is going to be one to watch in the weeks and months ahead, and at this moment in time it looks more worrying than reassuring from a Tottenham point of view.

[Vesper 31,105]

Analysis

What next for Nicolas Jackson: With Bayern clause not triggered, will Chelsea cash in elsewhere?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7240040/2026/04/30/nicolas-jackson-transfer-latest-Chelsea-bayern-analysis/

For the second successive year, Nicolas Jackson will go into the summer transfer window not knowing where he will be playing next season.

Jackson is returning to Chelsea, to begin with at least, having spent this campaign on loan at Bayern Munich, a move that was completed on deadline day (September 1).

The Athletic reported in September that Chelsea had agreed a loan fee worth €16.5million, but with a conditional obligation for Bayern to make the transfer permanent set at €65m (£56.3, $76.1m) at the end of 2025-26.

 

 

 

Earlier this week, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the Bundesliga club will not be triggering that obligation. It did not come as a great surprise.

Just two weeks after the forward arrived in Germany, Bayern’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, said that the conditions were very unlikely to be met because Jackson would have to start 40 games, not including the German Cup.

That left just the Bundesliga (34 matches) and the Champions League for Jackson to reach the tally, while competing for a place in the side with main striker Harry Kane.

Sporting director Eberl has said Bayern will not trigger the clauseIbo Ot/AFP via Getty Images

Jackson has fallen well short of the number required. He has been named in the first XI on just 13 occasions (Bundesliga and Champions League), with only 1,151 minutes of playing time. One of the factors behind that was going away with Senegal to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year.

But to put the figure in perspective, he made 37 appearances totalling 2,535 minutes for Chelsea last season, and that was despite being ruled out with a hamstring injury for a few months and getting suspended for two red cards.

The Athletic reported, before the two clubs played each other in the Champions League group phase seven months ago, that Jackson and his camp were quietly confident a transfer would happen regardless, even if it meant a renegotiation of the terms. So what happened?

It is not as if Jackson has performed badly for Bayern. He has a credible 10 goals and four assists in 29 appearances, so essentially a goal involvement every two matches.

In many ways, Jackson has fulfilled the role of being a backup forward adequately enough. Kane has been in ridiculous form (54 goals) and largely injury-free, so the Senegal international has never had much of a chance to get a regular run in the side. The opportunity of playing on the left flank was limited, too, due to the presence of Luis Diaz.

Head coach Vincent Kompany spoke out in defence of Jackson’s contribution in March after he had scored in a 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Aware of Jackson coming under some negative media scrutiny, Kompany said, “I have to say that I noticed since I’ve been here that when everything is going well in the team, there are attempts to single out a player or two without any reason. Last season, it was Serge Gnabry, sometimes Kingsley Coman, now it’s Nicolas Jackson. The reality of our dressing room is that it’s calm. Nicolas has performed very well in training and replicated it today. It’s true that when Kane plays in your position, or Michael Olise, or Luis Diaz, it’s a bit difficult. There’s nothing more. Nico has done very well today and hopefully will do it again soon.”

When Kane was ruled out of the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie at Atalanta the following week, Jackson scored and assisted a goal in a remarkable 6-1 win. Unfortunately, in his very next start at Bayer Leverkusen four days later, the 24-year-old was sent off for a reckless challenge on Martin Terrier and given a two-game ban.

Apart from that faux pas, Bayern’s fans seemed pretty happy with Jackson’s contribution overall.

Bayern are now having to go through the process of finding another striker in the market to play second fiddle to Kane. It will not be easy, but they prefer that to spending €65m on Jackson.

Chelsea do not believe his value has diminished from his Bayern experience. Sources speaking to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity to protect relationships say they still see him as a player worth up to £60m.

There is a good reason they can still command a high asking price. Jackson’s game has come on a great deal since joining Chelsea from Villarreal for just over €35million in 2023, and he still has seven years remaining on his contract.

Jackson has a very credible 30 goals — none from penalties — and 12 assists in 81 appearances for Chelsea, where he won the Conference League and Club World Cup in 2025.

Jackson also has 31 Senegal caps, helping them reach the AFCON final in January. His side won the game 1-0, only for the result against Morocco to be overturned.

There is a possibility he will add a Champions League and German Cup winners’ medal to the Bundesliga title Bayern Munich have already secured.

Jackson plays in a position that is one of the most coveted in the game and commands large sums. Manchester United paid an initial €76.5million for Benjamin Sesko last year, while Arsenal agreed a fee of €63.5million (plus €10m in add-ons) with Sporting CP for Viktor Gyokeres.

When you consider that Chelsea are very unlikely to have the revenue from Champions League competition next season, cashing in on players such as Jackson will help fund other purchases.

That is not to say Chelsea have made their minds up just yet. They are in the process of finding a new head coach, and Jackson is the same as all transfers, both in and out. The club will want to run things past the new head coach before making any big calls.

One of the coaches on Chelsea’s wish list is Andoni Iraola, who wanted to sign Jackson for Bournemouth in January 2023. There is a possibility that he and other candidates will want him to be part of their squad.

A new head coach might want Jackson to be part of their squadPaul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

Jackson may have frustrated Chelsea fans with his finishing at times, but the team have missed him. Liam Delap, one of the forwards bought to replace Jackson, has scored just three times in 43 appearances since joining from Ipswich Town for £30m.

Cole Palmer has lacked spark in 2025-26, mainly due to discomfort caused by a groin injury. But he also had a great partnership with Jackson, the two combining to set each other up on 15 occasions in 75 games. That is once every five matches.

In saying that, Joao Pedro has thrived as the main target man. He is Chelsea’s leading scorer this season, with 19 goals. The club also further signalled their intention to move on from Jackson by agreeing a deal with Strasbourg last September to buy Emmanuel Emega in view of him joining this summer.

There is always the potential of another loan, possibly with another option/obligation to buy involved. But that feels more like a last resort at this stage.

Jackson’s future was a major talking point at Chelsea in the summer of 2025. It looks like history is about to repeat itself.

Simon Johnson| Chelsea Correspondent

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

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