Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have responded to the Premier League's confirmation that the club has been found guilty of breaching 115 financial rules.

City have until Friday to appeal the decision but in a statement said: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.

"The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.

"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.

"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.

"The club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."

• Get more on the story

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City arranged "sham contracts" with a number of its commercial partners as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of more than £830m, the Premier League says.

The League confirmed that City have been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

An independent commission found that, during that time period, the club arranged the "sham contracts" as well as "relying on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club's revenues and reduce its costs".

The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and has until Friday to appeal.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.

"It also vindicates the Premier League's decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.

"It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the Rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans. We take that role extremely seriously.

"This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history. There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches. Now we have the Commission's decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process, to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans."

• Get more on the story

In the third and final part of Tuesday's Q&A, Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella discusses Estevao Willian's current situation and Xabo Alonso's defensive tactics.

Will asked: How much truth is there to the rumours about Estevao being unhappy at Chelsea? It seems curious that he has been afforded so few minutes given the side's recent difficulties.

Nizaar: There are strong denials from both the Brazilian's camp and Chelsea that there are any issues between him and Xabi Alonso.

I have written about the subject in detail and, since then, there has been no change, other than Estevao addressing it while on international duty.

Although the attacker would no doubt like more playing time, he appears to be handling the situation well - at least for now.

Before the season began, I wrote that this type of situation was inevitable given Chelsea's large squad and lack of European football.

If that situation continues, will he remain happy? And could a switch to a back four allow Alonso to include another attacker?

Image source, Getty Images

• Dirt pitches, dodging dogs and choosing Chelsea - the making of Estevao

Mak asked: Do you think Alonso will consider reverting to a back four considering the amount of goals Chelsea are conceding?

Nizaar: It would be the reverse of Antonio Conte after his famous switch to a back three following a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in 2016. The rest is history.

It is a reasonable question to ask, and Alonso insists he is not wedded to any specific system. Interestingly, Chelsea's academy teams across the age groups are largely emulating Alonso's system. Would effectively swapping five natural defenders for four improve them?

There is no right or wrong answer. I do think some defensive players have found it hard this season, while the attackers have enjoyed it. They also need to improve in possession because they have lost the ball in dangerous areas and been poor defending set-pieces. And does the squad itself have enough aggression to battle in it?

It is more likely Chelsea will try to make it work with Moises Caicedo, who has arguably been their most important player over the past two seasons, before abandoning current plans.

In the second part of Tuesday's Q&A, Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella discusses what the club's recent ownership changes mean for the potential stadium redevelopment and the impact of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee.

George asked: Where does the boardroom reshuffle and power dynamic leave the stadium development?

Nizaar: Chelsea are exploring major infrastructure improvements.

One option is the more straightforward task of upgrading the training ground at Cobham, but there is also a desire to make progress on stadium plans. Any difference of opinion between Clearlake executives such as Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly over the stadium's future has consistently been played down, even after Boehly and Mark Walter sold their stakes, external in Chelsea for £475m each.

The ownership situation may still help smooth the decision-making process. However, Chelsea are currently being delayed by external factors. For example, can they gain access to the Earl's Court development and properly present that option, which they may regard as the most attractive, to supporters?

Remaining at Stamford Bridge would be complex and expensive.

There is no perfect solution, so this era-defining decision is being taken with extreme care.

Image source, Getty Images

Dylan asked: With the arrival of MacPhee from Aston Villa, I was expecting more of a threat from set-pieces, but we have looked blunt in the opposition box and poor defensively, like last season, as seen for Brentford's opener at the Gtech. Is it just a matter of time or is it the new regulations for contact?

Nizaar: Having watched a number of Chelsea training sessions and seen the team play live since pre-season, I can tell you MacPhee is an influential figure.

The Scot leads large sections of training focused on set-pieces and I would argue he has already had some success in attacking situations.

It should be noted that Chelsea ranked highly in the league for attacking set-piece expected goals last season but performed poorly defensively. That trend has continued in 2026-27 and, despite the arrival of MacPhee and 11 new signings, remains evident.

The regulations have already changed to reduce the use of blockers and certain forms of contact at set-pieces, but it may also be that this group simply needs more time to improve.

Keep across this page for the third and final part of Nizaar's Q&A, which will look at Estevao Willian's future and Xabi Alonso's defensive set-up.

We asked for your questions to put to BBC Sport's Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella. In the first of a three-part Q&A, he focuses on the Blues' midfield.

Jake asked: Are Chelsea likely to go back into the market for either Manu Kone or Lamine Camara in the coming windows?

Nizaar: I can tell you with some degree of certainty that Chelsea are open to signing a midfielder in January.

That position could change depending on whether they gain some stability in midfield when Moises Caicedo returns, or whether players such as Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Watson, both 16, are deemed ready by January to make an impact on the fringes of the first-team squad.

As for the key question of who that midfielder could be, Chelsea previously tried to sign Roma's Manu Kone, external and Monaco's Lamine Camara. However, Liverpool are believed to be interested in Camara and could join the race in the near future.

It also appears that both clubs will try to retain their players during the winter transfer window. Chelsea have also explored Premier League options, including Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Sander Berge of Fulham. Again, it seems unlikely either would be available in January.

It may be wiser to wait until the summer to add genuine quality rather than sign a short-term option. There are a lot of moving parts, though, and an injury or two could force Chelsea into the market.

Image source, Getty Images

• Nizaar has his say on Chelsea breakout star Nicoll-Jazuli

John asked: Given our struggles with having a central midfielder who can control the tempo, what are your thoughts on playing Nicoll-Jazuli alongside either Caicedo (when fit) or Jordan Henderson? If they're good enough, they're old enough - for example, Max Dowman at Arsenal.

Nizaar: I see Nicoll-Jazuli as more of a box-to-box midfielder, or perhaps more of a number eight, but it is true that Chelsea have used him as a number six out of necessity when he has played.

Watson is another player who could develop into that role.

I know Chelsea regard Nicoll-Jazuli as a top-tier talent and are excited that he has committed to signing his first professional contract when he turns 17, despite attempts by several major clubs to lure him away.

Unfortunately, I do not think he is the solution to this particular problem. Caicedo's return will tell us a lot about whether this squad is fit for purpose.

Keep across this page for parts two and three of Tuesday's Q&A, which will look at subjects including Estevao Willian's game time and what Chelsea's boardroom reshuffle could mean for stadium development.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the teams interested in Erling Haaland and watching Manchester City's situation amid the possibility of sanctions. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Unbelievably, sensible and well-informed people are seriously discussing Manchester City getting a huge points deduction or being demoted or kicked out of the English leagues completely.

‌There is also reasonable talk about them being sued by just about every other major club in the domestic game, and a few beyond that. That is before you get to the concept of titles being stripped and trophies retrospectively re-awarded to others.

There is still an appeal to be heard, but they have been found guilty already. Serious consequences must be considered. Following the draconian punishments handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest, among others, City might find they don't just have the book thrown at them, it is the entire British Library lobbed in their general direction.

Those other clubs cooperated in the process. City have faced more charges and they involve larger sums and over a longer time period. In short, things are not looking good for the club that dominated English football for almost a decade.

This may be the biggest story in the Premier League's history and it is going to run and run.

Other serious considerations will follow hard on the heels of the Blues' dilemmas – specifically what long-term effects will this have on the Premier League? They will not all be good ones.

Some reasonably argue that the financial rules City have been found to have broken shouldn't have been put there in the first place. They were brought in to safeguard the financial security of the clubs and the league, but try telling that to many City, Everton and Nottingham Forest fans just now.

Newcastle and Aston Villa have plenty of financial backing, but these rules have hurt their ability to grow and stay competitive with the legacy clubs. This all feels unfair if you are a supporter of those two.

The money that will now be frittered away by the English game on lawyers and legal fees is eye-watering, and it will grow exponentially as the litigation increases.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens has withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad after suffering a suspected ankle injury.

The 22-year-old lasted 39 minutes of the 4-2 win over Kazakhstan at Molineux on Friday before being replaced by Everton winger Tyrique George.

Gittens will return to Chelsea for assessment after being pictured leaving Wolves' stadium on crutches.

It comes after a difficult start to the season for Gittens, who joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund in a £52m move in 2025, having yet to play a minute of Premier League football this campaign.

He featured heavily in pre-season under new manager Xabi Alonso but has started only once this term - a Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United, where he was substituted at half-time after a poor first-half display.

Young Lions boss Lee Carsley has called up West Ham midfielder Divine Mukasa, who is on loan from Manchester City, as Gittens' replacement.

Brazil winger Estevao Willian is becoming frustrated at his lack of game time at Chelsea, and Barcelona are keeping tabs on the situation. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, the Blues are monitoring Crystal Palace's England left-back Tyrick Mitchell, 27, but may face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool. (Caught Offside), external

Leeds United have no plans to sell Wales defender Ethan Ampadu, 26, despite links with his former club Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Xabi Alonso's inaugural season at Chelsea is under way, with the Blues picking up seven points from the opening five games of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

And with the international break in full flow, what better time than to ask BBC Sport's Chelsea reporter your burning questions.

They could be on the squad, injury concerns, Alonso's tactics, the boardroom or a topic of your choice.

Nizaar Kinsella will be on hand to answer a selection next week.

Get in touch with your question here

Chelsea are one of four Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on Manchester City and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov, 22. (Caught Offside), external

Chelsea will head the queue if Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 23, becomes available in January. (Mail - subscription required), external

Atalanta and Italy defender Giorgio Scalvini, 22, is the subject of interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle. (Caught Offside), external

Chelsea and Aston Villa do not have a January exit clause in the deal that took winger Alejandro Garnacho to the West Midlands club on a season-long loan at. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to rate Chelsea's start to the Premier League season and tell us what Xabi Alonso should be focusing on during the extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Trevor: We have undeniable talent up front, but we lack an enforcer in midfield and a clue in the backline. I haven't seen much evidence of the set-piece coaching when it comes to defending corners. Blocking tall guys with small guys and zonal marking isn't working, which begs the question: why are John Terry and Thiago Silva working with the kids when the first team badly needs them?

Russell: The defence at Chelsea is all over the place. Fofana is not good enough, Colwill seems to be out of place all the time. The communications from defence to midfield is zero. Opposition set-pieces and corners are always a threat, with the Chelsea players looking nervous each time a ball is crossed across the box.

Joe: A bright start but some worrying signs. Pundits will love us as the games are always going to be fun. However, dropping silly points this early is not a good sign. Defence takes time to build a relationship and we don't have that.

Ron: We do not have a quality back-up to both Caicedo and Joao Pedro. That was clear to see in the Brentford game. We are also short of a top-class centre-back who can marshal his defence like JT once did. Players like Achempong and Colwill will improve dramatically playing next to a JT-like centre-back. Only then will we be able to compete at the top.

Marty: If we had lost the games we've lost this season with Rosenior in charge, I'd be much more annoyed. I really like Alonso. I like that he's buying into Chelsea and I like that he's asserting dominance. Get us a top midfielder and defender in January and we'll be OK.

Chris: Other than a brilliant front three, we seem poorly coached. Movement, passing, pressing, set-pieces etc. We seem at best confused. Most of the clubs above have less talented individuals but are far better teams.

Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, 22, are Chelsea's primary midfield targets, with the Blues no longer interested in Monaco's 22-year-old Senegal international Lamine Camara. (CaughtOffside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League.

It's been a campaign of fluctuating fortunes for Chelsea and new boss Xabi Alonso so far, with exciting attacking prowess coupled with feeble defending that has led to dropped points.

Two wins, two losses and a draw leaves the Blues mid-table after spending nearly £350m in the summer on 11 new players.

Alonso does not have European football to balance this season, so unless there are good runs in domestic cups, he will not have to rotate his squad too much.

How do you rate Chelsea's start to the season and why? And what should Alonso be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, does not feel any sympathy for Manchester United's Michael Carrick and Xabi Alonso of Chelsea.

Both sides have suffered some poor results early in the new season and there is pressure building over Carrick in particular to get results.

However Onuoha believes any outside noise should not concern the two managers.

"With Ruben Amorim, I remember people saying they didn't want him to go because they just wanted a level of stability but by the end, Amorim was sabotaging himself - he was so, so poor," Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"But here's Michael Carrick now, who has got the same issues but he is managing the fan base, the board and the media a lot better. I can't speak on behalf of Manchester United fans, but it doesn't feel as hostile against him from the fan base.

"Maybe it's not hostile against Xabi Alonso because I think the fans wanted an adult in the room and they feel like they've got one - but they've still got the ownership they don't necessarily love.

"But I don't feel sympathy overall because managers stepping into these jobs, they understand for the most part what's going to happen because it's happened before.

"It's such a results-driven business that the reason they even have a job is because the other person probably got moved on. But the only way for those sides to have time with that coach is to get positive results."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Chelsea are tracking highly-rated 15-year-old Gambian midfielder Adama Jeng, with Bayern Munich, Benfica, Sporting and Paris FC also interested in the Samger FC youngster. (Mail plus - subscription required), external

Aston Villa attacking midfielder Alejandro Garnacho is being monitored by clubs in La Liga after struggling to make an impression at Villa Park following his summer loan switch from Chelsea. (Mail plus - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea winger Estevao says he can only "focus on what I can control" in response to his limited game time under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The 19-year-old Brazil forward arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer and quickly became a fan favourite, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances including a late winner against Liverpool and a fine individual effort against Barcelona in the Champions League.

However, his season was cut short with a hamstring injury that also ruled him out of this summer's World Cup and he has been used sparingly by Alonso.

Estevao has made just four substitute appearances in the Premier League - totalling just 23 minutes - with his only two starts in the Carabao Cup, as Alonso favours a forward line of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers.

"I think every coach has their own way of playing," Estevao told a press conference while on international duty with Brazil.

"Of course, we work every day, I give my best every day and that's what I do.

"We have quality players at Chelsea, so what I do is focus on what I can control. I try to give my best in training, when I get an opportunity I try to give my best. It goes day after day."

Chelsea regard the winger as 'untouchable' and central to the long-term planning of Alonso and the club's leadership team.

On making the most of his opportunities, Estevao added: "I try to seize every opportunity I have, I try to control everything I can. I leave it in God's hands and I trust myself a lot too."

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The latest centre-back to roll off the Cobham production line is Tayo Subuloye.

Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong are in Xabi Alonso's first-team squad while Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Trevoh Chalobah are among the former Chelsea academy products to be excelling elsewhere.

Now Subuloye, 18, is knocking on the door of the first team, having trained in Alonso's group before the 3-0 defeat to Brentford.

Subuloye featured heavily in a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, getting 179 minutes of game time.

The 6ft 5in defender played in front of 80,000 fans against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney and completed 90 minutes in Malaysia in a fiercely contested 3-3 draw with local champions Johor Darul Ta'zim.

It was his reward for captaining Chelsea's Under-18s to the southern and national titles, while also featuring for the title-winning Under-21s after becoming captain of the club's senior academy age group at the start of the 2026-27 season.

The Sussex native began his football journey by playing at youth level for non-league side Eastbourne Borough, alongside elite academy All Stars.

He attracted interest from academies including Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham, but opted for a more local move to Brighton at Under-10 level.

Two years later, at Under-12 level, Chelsea showed interest again and Subuloye decided to make the switch.

He started out as a midfielder but Chelsea converted him into a defender - and that sort of versatility is often associated with the successful graduates of the club's academy.

During pre-season, the vocal youngster played across the back line.

An England youth international, he is also eligible to represent Nigeria through his parentage. Academy staff have also been impressed by his work off the pitch, with the defender achieving an A* in business studies alongside a successful season.

In a recent club interview, Subuloye said of his involvement with the first team: "It was good exposure for me - because that's where I ultimately want to be."

Under contract until 2030, Subuloye has internal backing as he targets his competitive Chelsea debut, following on from fellow academy graduates Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Walsh, who also heavily featured in pre-season.

It could well be that this season a loan move helps him make the step to Chelsea's first team, as it did with Colwill, Chalobah and Tomori before him.

Image source, Handout

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether Chelsea are too easy to play against - and if so, who should be starting instead for the Blues.

Here are some of your comments:

Mathew: Chelsea have the attacking power, but they don't have the defending power. It is still leaky and I strongly believe Chelsea need an experienced defender to lead. I am pleased that they brought in Emiliano Martinez, but to have clean sheets the defence needs improving. The attackers need to help the defence too. Once everyone is working together, everything will click. I believe in Xabi Alonso, I truly think he will win trophies, but the board needs to see that players are still needed.

Gillian: We certainly need improvements in defence. I'd like to see Josh Acheampong in the line-up as he seems to be more clued-up than some. Also, I would like to see more of Estevao, or I can see him leaving.

Osman: I still believe Maxence Lacroix isn't that good. When you start buying players from small clubs you end up with a comical defence.

Vinny: As much as I like to see youth players like Levi Colwill coming through, sadly he has never shown any consistency and always looks to have a couple of mistakes in him per match. Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Malo Gusto and Romeo Latvia are too inconsistent/injury prone and have had enough opportunities to make positions their own without impressing. We need a proper left-footed centre-back, two holding midfielders, a new right-back and some leaders in the John Terry mould before we'll be back challenging.

James: Chelsea are too easy to play against from a defensive aspect. We know the strength in attack, but that gets cancelled out by those at the back. Whilst the blame can't solely be placed on Martinez, I thought he was going to be an upgrade on Robert Sanchez - but so far this hasn't been the case. That said, those in front of him have not helped the cause. This makes selling Trevoh Chalobah all the more puzzling.

Chelsea's Xabi Alonso as well as Roberto de Zerbi of Tottenham are in an "impossible position" this season, believes The Observer's Rory Smith.

The managers took charge of their clubs in the spring and oversaw a lot of activity in the transfer window, with Chelsea and Spurs ending the summer as the second and third-highest spenders respectively.

Smith says the changes to their squads is why Alonso and De Zerbi need time to build coherence in their sides.

"We're kind of asking them to do something impossible," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"The Premier League spends July and August pumping three-and-a-half billion pounds around Europe to buy all of these players and then on 1 September it's like 'right, we want to see coherent football teams immediately'. It doesn't work like that.

"Football's about connections and relationships and understanding and the reason none of those teams have any is because they're constantly full of new players. It seems really obvious.

"It strikes me the managers are in an impossible position because as soon as the results don't come, the easy thing to do is sack them, but the real problem is we're asking them to build coherent sides instantly out of all of these random resources."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here