Chelsea
Maresca Minimises Concern as Chelsea Accumulate Red Cards During Win
Maresca downplays Chelsea’s red card run, insisting each sending off must be analysed individually..
Chelsea’s 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest was overshadowed by a recurring disciplinary problem: the club received its fifth red card in six matches. Manager Enzo Maresca, though, insisted the situation does not merit alarm and urged a measured review of each incident.
“Again, it’s something that we can do better, but I’m not concerned,” the Italian manager said after the Blues’ latest win. “Some of you might say, why is he not concerned? I’m not concerned, because I like to analyse.” He has repeated the same approach he outlined ahead of the October international break, when he said each sending off must be “analysed case by case.”
The recent dismissals include Maresca himself, who was sent off for his celebrations against Liverpool after Estêvão’s last-gasp winner at Stamford Bridge. João Pedro was shown a second yellow for a high boot against Benfica and Trevoh Chalobah received a red for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity against Brighton. Robert Sánchez was also dismissed just five minutes into the Blues’ clash with Manchester United for a last-man challenge on Bryan Mbeumo.
Across that six-game stretch, Chelsea avoided a red card only in their 2–1 victory over Lincoln in the Carabao Cup.
Maresca argued the cases are not all the same and warned against lumping them together. “When it’s a red card for bad intention or for bad discipline, it is different compared to the Manchester United red card or Brighton red card,” the manager said after Pedro was sent off in the Champions League. “In that case, it’s just the decision that you have to take in two seconds, three seconds. Do I do foul or not? It is difficult. So we analyse case for case. Even if we concede [a total of] four red cards, it is not something normal because, again, it is for different reasons.”
For now, Maresca’s stance is to study each episode on its merits rather than issue a blanket criticism of his squad’s behaviour.
Chelsea
Real Madrid Block Chelsea as Álvaro Carreras Is Deemed ‘Untouchable’
Real Madrid describe Álvaro Carreras “untouchable”, forcing Chelsea to widen their left-back search.
Real Madrid have made clear they will not entertain offers for Álvaro Carreras this summer, a development that complicates Chelsea’s search for a replacement for Marc Cucurella. According to AS, the Spanish club consider Carreras “untouchable” and are not prepared to move him on only a year after his arrival.
Carreras arrived from Benfica last summer for $58.42 million (€50 million) and was handed a six-year contract. Los Blancos view him as part of a recent investment and, per the report, will only consider offers that would see him leave at a financial loss on that initial outlay. Mourinho is expected to rely on Carreras to compete with Cucurella for the starting left back position next season.
Real Madrid also face uncertainty in their left-back ranks beyond Carreras. Ferland Mendy’s recurring injury problems have left the Frenchman as an unreliable alternative, and he could be on the way out of the club. Fran García, a La Fábrica graduate, has attracted interest from several teams across Europe and may also depart. With two of the four left backs in the squad potentially headed for exits, Carreras provides necessary depth and competition.
For Chelsea, Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid removes one target and Carreras’s unavailability leaves the Blues with limited options. At present, 20-year-old Jorrel Hato is the only recognised left back at Xabi Alonso’s disposal. Hato was also used regularly at centre back during his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have secured the signing of Denner Evangelista, but the 18-year-old is considered a long-term prospect and is not expected to join the first team this summer. Reuniting with Lewis Hall has been suggested as a possibility, but it appears unlikely given that the same ownership group previously allowed the Cobham graduate to leave. As the window progresses, Chelsea will need to widen their search for a left back while Real Madrid maintain a firm stance on Carreras.
Chelsea
Chelsea dispute over approach has delayed Enzo Maresca’s move to Manchester City
Chelsea complaint over alleged illegal approach stalls Enzo Maresca’s move to Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca has agreed to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City this summer, but his arrival at the Etihad has been delayed amid a dispute with his former club, Chelsea.
Maresca formally left Chelsea on January 1, 2026, after a turbulent spell that included a public intervention at a press conference in which he said a lack of support from “people in general” had contributed to the “worst 48 hours” of his time at Chelsea. The press conference followed a period in which he repeatedly clashed with the club’s ownership over transfers and team selection.
Reports indicate City began monitoring Maresca in December while he remained under contract at Stamford Bridge. The Italian spoke to City while still employed by Chelsea and, under the terms of his agreement with the Blues, was required to disclose those talks to the club’s owners. The subsequent public row and Maresca’s departure came around two weeks later.
Chelsea regard the exit as a turning point in a season that then deteriorated. The club’s problems were not confined to the pitch: his departure led to further financial consequences following the hiring and later dismissal of Liam Rosenior, for which compensation was paid.
Because Maresca is no longer employed by Chelsea, the club accepts they cannot block his final negotiations with City. The initial contact, however, is the subject of Chelsea’s complaint. Chelsea did not give permission for City to speak with Maresca, a contracted employee, and The Guardian state Chelsea believe they have sufficient evidence to report City to the Premier League for an illegal approach.
Chelsea are also said to be considering a separate claim against Maresca for breach of contract. Until those issues are resolved, City’s confirmation of Maresca remains on hold and the move is being pushed back.
Chelsea
Chelsea 2026/27 Premier League Fixtures: Key Dates and Full Schedule
Alonso’s Chelsea open at Fulham; early trip to Arsenal, December Liverpool and City fixtures season.
Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Chelsea begins with a short trip to west London rivals Fulham on the opening day of the 2026/27 Premier League season. An early visit to reigning champions Arsenal arrives as soon as gameweek three. Chelsea remain in London until mid-October, when they travel to Merseyside to face Everton. A busy October then features home games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Alonso’s first meeting with former employers Liverpool comes at Stamford Bridge in early December, immediately followed by a trip to face Manchester City, expected to be led by former Blues boss Enzo Maresca. Those fixtures are reversed across the final week of April and the first week of May, when Chelsea will travel to Anfield and host Manchester City.
Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face Man Utd in February and host Arsenal in mid-March. May brings a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The season runs toward its conclusion with visits to Everton and Bournemouth followed by a final-day meeting at home with Brentford.
Live TV broadcasts will be chosen for select Premier League games throughout the season, dates and/or kick-off times remain subject to change. All kick-off times stated are Eastern Time (ET) and British Summer Time (BST) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), depending on the time of year.
Full fixture list (date — fixture, kick-off time as stated):
24 August — Fulham vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST
29 August — Chelsea vs. Brighton and Hove Albion, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
5 September — Arsenal vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
12 September — Chelsea vs. Hull City, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
19 September — Brentford vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
10 October — Chelsea vs. Bournemouth, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
17 October — Everton vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
24 October — Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
31 October — Chelsea vs. Manchester United, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
7 November — Sunderland vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
21 November — Chelsea vs. Leeds United, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
28 November — Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
2 December — Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
5 December — Chelsea vs. Liverpool, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
12 December — Manchester City vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
19 December — Chelsea vs. Aston Villa, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
26 December — Coventry City vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
30 December — Ipswich Town vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
2 January — Chelsea vs. Newcastle United, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
6 January — Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
16 January — Chelsea vs. Sunderland, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
23 January — Leeds United vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
30 January — Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
6 February — Manchester United vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
10 February — Newcastle United vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
20 February — Chelsea vs. Ipswich Town, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
27 February — Aston Villa vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
3 March — Chelsea vs. Coventry City, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
13 March — Chelsea vs. Arsenal, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
20 March — Hull City vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT
10 April — Chelsea vs. Fulham, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
17 April — Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
24 April — Chelsea vs. Manchester City, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
1 May — Liverpool vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
8 May — Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
15 May — Chelsea vs. Everton, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
23 May — Bournemouth vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST
Final day — Chelsea vs. Brentford (home).
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