In fact, my colleague on this site put out an exclusive yesterday suggesting that there is actually substance to the noise around Chelsea making enquiries to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan ...

Chelsea are prepared to consider loan proposals for Raheem Sterling as they attempt to secure the exits of eight more players before the transfer window shuts in two weeks.

Maresca had underlined the importance of Levi Colwill. Not only in how he defends but in how he is used to build attacks from the back with the line-breaking passes he is capable of producing.

However, they will be more encouraged by the figure of 1.81 expected goals (xG), which was superior to Palace's 1.07, and was the Blues' highest xG figure without scoring in a league match in 2025.

The biggest moment of the game came when Chelsea were handed a let-off in the 13th minute, when Eberechi Eze thumped a free kick into the goal, only for it to be ruled out.