Chelsea

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

As the battle for places in Europe hots up in the Premier League, the race to shuffle papers to satisfy Uefa's bureaucrats has been just as intense.

This is because European football's governing body has strict multi-club ownership (MCO) rules.

Those rules could cause a team to be demoted from one competition to another, like Crystal Palace were from the Europa League to the Conference League last season, or miss out on Europe altogether.

Half of the Premier League clubs are now in some form of multi-club arrangement.

To many fans, Chelsea and Strasbourg may be the most obvious example of two clubs operating as one entity.

They are both under the BlueCo umbrella and if they do end up in the same competition, it will be a serious tests of Uefa's multi-club ownership policy.

On 17 February, four members of the board of BlueCo Alsace, the French club's holding company, stepped down.

They were Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea's joint-sporting directors. James Pade and Jeffrey Wilbur, noted as Chelsea directors on the Premier League's public register, were also removed.

At UK Companies House, co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali stood down as directors of BlueCo Data Limited on 28 February. They are still on the west London club's board.

If the two clubs are permitted into the same competition, and following past precedent, it is likely they would not be allowed to trade players until January 2028.

Strasbourg are eighth in Ligue 1 and have a small chance of qualifying domestically - but if they win the Conference League, they will earn a place in the Europa League.

Uefa says that a European titleholder must get European football, but there is no clause to cover this in the MCO regulations.

Chelsea are in the FA Cup final - and if they win it, that would also result in Europa League football.

There could be a decision for Uefa to make.

Read more here

English striker Liam Delap, 23, wants to stay and fight for his Chelsea career as the club face big decisions over their strikers. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Chelsea have added former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, 44, and Fulham boss Marco Silva, 48, to their new manager shortlist. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United is a good distraction for Blues fan and content creator Rory Jennings, who is finding the attitudes of current Chelsea players are not "sitting right" with him.

The west London outfit sacked manager Liam Rosenior last week, but managed to secure an FA Cup final place under interim head coach Calum McFarlane on Sunday.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, Jennings said: "What doesn't sit comfortably with me is, the reason we've beaten Leeds United is because we showed heart, fight and tenacity. All of those words that should be natural for any football team, all of them were completely absent a few days ago when Liam Rosenior was manager.

"So something about this crop of players doesn't sit right with me, but it's hard for me to feel anything other than jubilant at the moment because beating Leeds is a dream come true."

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, said: "I've been there as a player when a manager's been sacked and I'd felt sad, like I'm part of the problem and part of why they've been sacked.

"But I was watching the Chelsea players and I didn't seem to see that in them – there seemed to be a relief. I guess it happens, but that's where as a player you need to look at yourself as well."

On who should become Blues' next permanent boss, Jennings added: "The next manager who comes in after McFarlane has to be somebody who can unify Chelsea. I want someone who gets the club and knows the history and what the standards should be – I would have had John Terry now instead of McFarlane.

"I feel like the standout candidate now would be Cesc Fabregas but it won't happen. It's got Gary O'Neil written all over it."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It certainly felt as though Chelsea's players had 'downed tools' when watching them inside Amex Stadium during their 3-0 defeat by Brighton in Liam Rosenior's final match in charge.

Many in the dressing room were unconvinced by their former head coach, citing his lack of authority and communication style, with Spanish-speaking players said to have particularly struggled under him.

However, there is nuance to the debate, with individual players experiencing different issues during that period.

Some may have downed tools, others appeared short of confidence and - perhaps most damningly - there are those who simply may not be good enough to meet Chelsea's perceived ambitions, especially as injuries forced certain players into more prominent roles.

There were also comments from players such as Trevoh Chalobah, who suggested fatigue was playing a part, having featured in the Club World Cup, not being given a full holiday and enduring a shortened pre-season.

Throughout their five-game losing run, Chelsea were also failing to take chances during matches in which they enjoyed long spells of dominance, notably against Manchester United, Everton and Manchester City.

All of it contributed to the perception that players had downed tools.

But while that may have been the case in some instances, in others it may be a harsh judgement.

Now it appears Chelsea's players have issued something of a rallying cry following Rosenior's dismissal, and are attempting to unite behind interim boss Calum McFarlane after booking their place in the FA Cup final with a timely victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

Do you feel as though the players had downed tools? If so, does that frustrate you, especially if you think they will now unite behind McFarlane and potentially kick on to more success?

Get in touch here with your views

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah says the players must "take responsibility" and "reset" in a bid to save their season.

The Blues earned their first win - and scored their first goal - in five matches against Premier League opposition with a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds at Wembley.

The win came days after Liam Rosenior was sacked, amid widespread reports he had lost the dressing room, following a 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Tuesday.

Speaking about the criticism the players have faced, Chalobah said: "When a manager goes, it is difficult. You obviously spend time with them and work with them daily, so you have to adapt and reset again.

"We have to look at ourselves as players and take responsibility from now until the end of the season. It is about not making excuses, going again and trying to win our games."

Asked about Rosenior comments heavy criticism of the squad, Chalobah continued: "The past is the past. For us, it is about results and winning games.

"We still have the same players that we had at the start of the season when we were flying so it is not like we lose our abilities over night. It is just about resetting and getting that feeling and mentality back."

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who made a series of impressive saves as Chelsea kept their first clean sheet against Premier League opposition since January, praised interim boss Calum McFarlane.

"It was a bit of fresh air," he said. "Calum has always come in with a positive attitude, and winning today - along with the performance we put in - gives you a massive boost to keep going for the final four weeks."

When discussing fan reaction, he added: "I don't question the anger. It was important to give a bit back."

The Blues have four Premier League matches remaining, as well as an FA Cup final against Manchester City on 16 May.

We asked for your views after Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United on Sunday.

Here are some of your comments:

Keith: These players should hang their heads in shame. The difference between the Brighton game and this game, performance-wise, cost a man his job. Having said that... come on, the Chelsea!

James: Slightly more tense than I was hoping for but, nevertheless, job done and on to what will be a very tough final. Manchester City will no doubt be favourites but, as we saw in last season's final, anything can happen.

Chris: Much, much better but we still need to keep improving to get anywhere near a Champions League place or a result against City in the final. Caicedo is still kicking everything that moves and he needs to show some discipline. If we can keep improving from this result, who knows? As long as we keep going forward - and not backwards and sideways - we may surprise a few people.

David: Not pretty but we needed to win - it didn't matter how. We showed grit, determination and skill (not to mention the dark arts). About time!

Seb: As a Chelsea fan of 30 years, this is a team that I just can't remotely like. The gamesmanship, petulance and egos might reflect modern football (ugh) but it does ill to the legends of Chelsea - Vialli, Di Matteo, Zola etc - who won my adoration as a 10-year-old. We very well might go on to win the FA Cup but it doesn't feel the same somehow.

Valentine: It was a gritty performance from Chelsea. Congratulations to the lads.

Brian: Good, solid performance overall. Joao Pedro was outstanding - he is different class. Great saves from Sanchez to keep us in it. Need to play like this for the remaining games but so good to get to a final again, which we will win 1-0. Come on, Chelsea.

Paul: That is what a real manager can do for a team. Give them belief, not just talk a good game - and pick the right players at the back, not leave all the best defenders on the bench. The last manager didn't know what he was doing.

Image source, Express and Mirror

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green says Blues midfielder Enzo Fernandez "ran the game" against Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Argentine was the matchwinner and game's outstanding performer, just weeks after being at the centre of controversy during Liam Rosenior's reign when he received a two-game internal ban for publicly discussing a potential transfer to Real Madrid.

"Chelsea are a product of the system they are in and modern-day football," said Green on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's ugly but they have all the power and it was epitomised by [Enzo] Fernandez as he ran the game.

"It was down to him how they played. That is not healthy for a football club but, for Chelsea, it gets them to finals. Give a player an inch, they take a mile."

Calum McFarlane has been put in interim charge until the end of the season, but who will get the permanent job is still unknown.

"There's some good candidates," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on the Football Daily podcast. "More will be available in the summer too.

"Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth. Marco Silva might leave Fulham and he's a very good manager. Would Frank Lampard go back? I don't think he will and I think she should stay at Coventry, but it's not a bad shout.

"Oliver Glasner's name is in the mix too - and Cesc Fabregas.

"At Chelsea, the owners sign the players so they don't need a manager, they need a coach. Someone who will say 'yes' a lot.

"That's why they can't bring in someone like Unai Emery because he signs his own players and has control. Most managers won't like that, but they just have to get on with it because it's still Chelsea Football Club."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Former England midfielder and BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy believes Chelsea utilised "an obvious tactical stoppage" in their FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United on Sunday, and proposes rule changes that can prevent it from happening.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte is among the candidates being considered by Chelsea as the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior next season. (Express), external

Porto boss Francesco Farioli is also on Chelsea's shortlist but his contract runs until 2028 and contains a 20m euros (£17.3m) release clause. (Nicolo Schira), external

Newcastle have emerged as contenders to sign Nicolas Jackson, who will return to Chelsea in the summer after Bayern Munich confirmed they will not turn the striker's loan into a permanent move. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal were among a host of Premier League clubs who watched 20-year-old Belgium forward Mika Godts score an incredible goal for Ajax on Saturday. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Danny Murphy joins Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from the weekend's FA Cup semi-finals.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 2-1 Southampton

• Chelsea 1-0 Leeds

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane said he didn't "hestitate" to make "exceptional" Enzo Fernandez his captain after his match-winning display at Wembley.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored a far-post header in the first half to seal a 1-0 semi-final win against Leeds on Sunday.

However, Fernandez has been a controversial figure this season having earned a two-game ban for his comments about someday moving to Spain, having been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I wasn't hesitant to make him captain," McFarlane said, adding: "I said that to him at the end, I said, 'you like scoring at the back post for me'. And he just laughed.

"He does that really well, he's done it all year. He's a winner, he's got so much talent, he's got so much fight, he's massive for this group. And the best thing about Enzo is that he can do a bit of everything, but when it gets tough, you see the fight in him, you see him driving the group on, you see him making tackles, you see him fighting for every loose ball.

"So he was exceptional today and deserved man of the match."

One of the main reasons Chelsea opted to change Rosenior mid-season, according to multiple BBC Sport sources, was because he lost the support of the dressing room.

That has led the mentality of the players to be questioned by media and supporters alike, but McFarlane was glad they showed fight on Sunday afternoon.

"I thought our character and drive was brilliant," McFarlane told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Tactics go out of the window at times but I thought the fight, the set-pieces and the character of the group was exceptional.

"It has been questioned and perhaps rightly so at times, maybe, but that is us at our best and I think we need to show that level as much as we can because that is what this group is capable of. There is a lot of winners in that changing room and I am happy we showed that today.

Asked what it meant to him personally, McFarlane added: "It was the best day of my career by an absolute mile. I have got family at the ground and all of them are lifelong Chelsea fans. It is the stuff dreams are made of, you know."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea emerged from the chaos and discontent of Liam Rosenior's final days in charge at Stamford Bridge by setting up the chance to save a turbulent season with silverware.

Rosenior left after a run of five league defeats without a goal, the first time this had happened to Chelsea since 1912.

And the sign of Chelsea's poor form was illustrated when Enzo Fernandez arrived with perfect timing to head past Leeds United keeper Lucas Perri. It ended a run of 498 minutes without a goal against Premier League clubs in all competitions.

As is so often the case, the departure of a head coach who appeared to have lost the faith of his players galvanised Chelsea into action with a performance that was much improved - if hardly scintillating.

Keeper Robert Sanchez, the target for much criticism in recent months, emerged as a key figure with those crucial saves from Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach.

But the match-winner and game's outstanding performer was Fernandez, who was also at the centre of controversy during Rosenior's reign when he received a two-game internal ban for publicly discussing a potential transfer to Real Madrid.

He took the acclaim from Chelsea's jubilant supporters after the final whistle as the dark clouds that have been hanging over them were, on this day at least, lifted.

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a tough game, really tough game. You know what Leeds do, and they are good at what they do, and it's a massive occasion for them, where they all want to get to an FA Cup final.

"I thought we had a lot of control in the first half, and then, to be fair to them, they changed the momentum of the game by changing shape. So we had to adapt, and we had to weather some storm and show a bit of character and grit while they threw everything at us.

"But probably the character was the most pleasing part. I think those lads showed how much they want to win a football game and what they were willing to do to win a really important football game for the club."

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's amazing. The boys reacted in the way they should have. We've tried to keep everyone positive in training and it's the chance to be in another final. It's something we've been working for and it's amazing.

"I'm happy. I always try to do my job. We go through ups and downs. I'm very happy about the season I've had but it's about ending it on a high. Four Premier League games to go and a final."

On the goal: "It comes straight from the training ground. We practice it. They fight for the second ball. Perfect. They deserve moments like this. It's good to give that little bit back after a tough period."

What has Calum McFarlane changed? "Keep it positive and focus on the next games. We said six games to go and it's on us to try and win the final."

On winning the final: "It would mean something great after a tough season, so we will go there and fight for everything on the pitch."

Did you know?

• Chelsea have reached their 17th FA Cup final, and first since 2022, while only Manchester United (22) and Arsenal (21) have advanced to the final on more occasions than the Blues in the competition.

• Enzo Fernandez has scored 13 goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season. The only midfielder to score more for Premier League clubs in 2025-26 is Morgan Gibbs-White (16).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Chelsea welcome top scorer Joao Pedro back from a minor calf injury, but Cole Palmer is only fit enough for a place on the bench.

The pair missed the 3-0 defeat at Brighton, which proved to be Liam Rosenior's final game in charge as head coach.

Now led by interim boss Calum McFarlane, they switch back to a back four, with Alejandro Garnacho and Tosin Adarabioyo coming into the side.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Palmer, Derry, Delap

Leeds' cup-goalkeeper Lucas Perri retains his place over Karl Darlow, who remains no1 in the Premier League.

They otherwise have the same XI which drew with Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Whites are unbeaten in seven in all competitions.

Leeds XI: Perri, Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Darlow, Roson, Bornauw, Longstaff, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha

I don't think Liam Rosenior was the biggest problem at Chelsea, although some of his decisions certainly did not help his cause.

I was at Amex Stadium on Tuesday, co-commentating on Rosenior's final game in charge, and the lack of effort some of the Chelsea players put in against Brighton was more damning on them than their manager.

Rosenior was right when he came out afterwards and said the performance was "unacceptable" but, sadly, when a manager is so critical of his players you know that is usually the end for him.

I hope Rosenior gets back into management soon and the state Chelsea are in is certainly not a reflection on him. The model the club's owners have gone for is part of the problem, as Rosenior's predecessors found out too.

It is left to Calum McFarlane to take charge for this game and we will have to wait to see who he has fit - and then which Chelsea side will turn up.

Leeds beat Chelsea at Elland Road in December and drew with them at Stamford Bridge in February.

Daniel Farke's side are not completely safe yet but they picked up another really good point late on against Bournemouth on Wednesday and they have got a lot about them. I am going for them to beat Chelsea at Wembley too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here