Chelsea

Chelsea are preparing a new bid for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana, 21. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Chelsea will face AC Milan, Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb in Group E in this season's Champions League.

The group stage starts on 6 September and runs to 2 November, with the last-16 ties then being played over a month from 14 February to 15 March.

The quarter-finals are in April and the semis follow in May.

The final is at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium on 10 June 2023.

Get reaction to the draw here

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the group stage of this season's Champions League is about to get under way in Istanbul.

Who will Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham face?

Follow live text coverage of the draw here

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea: Ross Mooring, Chelsea Fancast, external

Conor Gallagher is a one-of-a-kind player, an all-action midfield general.

In spite of an underwhelming full debut for Chelsea at Leeds last weekend - something that can be said for most Blues who played that day - Gallagher already possesses the attributes to play at international level, as evidenced by Gareth Southgate giving Conor his first cap last season.

Impressive on loan at Crystal Palace last year, as he was for West Brom, Swansea and Charlton before that, the intuitive Gallagher applies every ounce of himself to the team and this attitude has won him plaudits everywhere. Conor has an excellent eye for goal, drives forward with the ball and has ability and nous to find the right pass wherever he finds himself on the pitch.

While there is no denying James Maddison is a very good player and has deserved to make more than one international appearance, England are blessed with a lot of talent in the positions that the Leicester man most regularly operates.

At just 22 years of age and now training with Chelsea's collection of stars every day, Gallagher will only continue to improve. Even if his development this year is ultimately best served by a final Premier League loan before the window closes, there will be no keeping the irrepressible dynamo down, at club or international level.

Leicester: Sam Holloway, LeicesterFanTV, external

So long as Southgate is the manager, I think it will be Gallagher. For whatever reason, he does not rate James Maddison, which is absurd. He is clearly one of the best English midfielders, with the highest goals and assists ratio out of any of his competition, so there can be no other reason why he is not in Southgate's England squad.

Unfortunately, I agree with a lot of Leicester fans who believe that just because he plays for "little old Leicester", he isn't rated by the English national team. I hate to say it but if he moved to one of the so-called 'big six' clubs, like Spurs or Arsenal, or his boyhood club Manchester United, he would be recognised more for his country.

As for Gallagher, just compare his stats with Maddison already this season. Madders has two goals and an assist after just three games. Gallagher? He has none. There is no comparison to be made here.

Maddison is clearly better but because he plays at Leicester he goes under the radar.

Read the rest of this week's debates here

We asked you for your say on whether you'd like to see Antony Gordon sign for Chelsea this summer, or if Christian Pulisic deserves the chance to stay and play for the Blues.

Here are some of your replies:

Simon: Have to say I find Chelsea’s transfer targets confusing, while at the same time I'm wanting to trust that Tuchel knows what he’s doing. Gordon is a gamble at best and arguably no better than Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic or even Ziyech. Chelsea’s habit of discarding rather than developing young players makes no sense. Reece James is proof of what is possible.

Paul: I think we should stick with Pulisic, yes he’s a bit injury-prone but he's a more prolific goalscorer and more experienced than Gordon. He's the USA captain and has a bigger personality.

John: Pulisic over Gordon every time. It's madness to buy yet another winger to sit on the bench. We need a striker and a centre-back. Get Fofana and Aubameyang and forget Gordon.

Kurt: I think it's time Pulisic gets his fair shot. I think an ideal front three for Chelsea would be to line up with Pulisic on the left, Raheem on the right and Havertz in the middle, with Mount backing up Havertz. Let the front three be free flowing. Either way he should be starting.

Chris: Gordon is nowhere near as good as players we already have. I'm totally baffled as to why we have bid any money for him.

Chelsea may move for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire if they are unable to sign centre-back Wesley Fofana from Leicester. (Evening Standard), external

Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan.(Guardian), external

RB Leipzig are interested in signing Trevoh Chalobah on loan, with Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Roma and Tottenham also keen on the defender. (Mail), external

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

Alistair Magowan, BBC Sport football reporter

Chelsea's transfer policy has certainly been aggressive but after a calamitous defeat by Leeds on Sunday, there are questions about its priorities. 

The 3-0 loss exposed weaknesses from back to front, whether it was Edouard Mendy's ball control in goal, Kalidou Koulibaly getting to grips with the speed of the Premier League before being sent off, how exposed the midfield can be without N'Golo Kante, or several chances missed by the attack.

So in the final week of the transfer window, where do Chelsea go from here? It seems that defence and attack is the focus, although addressing the backline seems to make more sense. 

A third bid for Leicester's Wesley Fofana has been turned down and Chelsea will need to break a world record for a defender to get their man. Paying over £80m for a 21-year-old will be over market value, but perhaps a price Chelsea are willing to pay to ensure they have a back three which will allow Reece James to play at wing-back. 

Bidding £45m for Everton's Anthony Gordon has caused more confusion. Many fans have asked if he is better than the likes of Christian Pulisic or Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have both become frustrated with a lack of playing time and could leave before the end of the window.

Fans outside of Chelsea are also asking how the club can spend so much in the context of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The answer will depend on how much they recoup from players sales, and any commercial revenue the club can generate under its new ownership, which can all be set against spending.

The next week may provide some clarity, but it is sure to be another frantic seven days for chairman Todd Boehly and manager Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea's transition continues apace.

Image source, Getty Images

Antony Gordon is a talented winger, with a promising future, who wants to fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge.

Operating across the forward line, Gordon would bring pace, trickery and a prodigious work-rate which he displayed regularly to help keep Everton afloat last season.

However, the valuation of a £50m move for a player who has only got four goals and eight assists in 63 Everton appearances, has been debated, especially when compared with who he would presumably be supplanting.

Christian Pulisic is only two years older but cost a similar amount to the figures touted for Gordon when he signed in 2019.

He had already made 90 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund when Chelsea snapped him up as a raw 20-year-old.

Granted, injury problems have at times hindered his progress and he has often flattered to deceive. Not since his first season has he been trusted to start more than five consecutive Premier League games.

Yet, drilling into the data from last season, Pulisic offers a far greater threat, averaging 0.4 goals per 90 minutes as opposed to 0.14 for Gordon.

Naturally, he was playing for a better team but the numbers are stark when it comes to finishing as well, scoring one in five of his shots compared to Gordon’s one in 14.

Chelsea have had an indifferent opening to the season with Pulisic yet to start for Thomas Tuchel’s side, although he has come on in all three games.

Clearly, he’s not a favourite, hence the interest in Gordon.  

Clubs don’t tend to spend such figures without expecting an immediate impact in the first team so Tuchel must have lofty ambitions for the England Under-21 winger.

Penny for the thoughts of Pulisic.

Chelsea fans, let us know what you think here

• Chelsea have won two of their past three Premier League games against Leicester, following a six-game run without victory over the Foxes.

• Leicester have won just one of their past 10 league matches at Stamford Bridge, and haven't scored more than once in any of them.

• Chelsea will go into a Premier League match in the bottom half of the table for the first time since September 2020.

• Brendan Rodgers has faced the Blues more times in his managerial career than any other opponent (20) - though he has won only two of those games.

Image source, Getty Images

Alistair Magowan, BBC Sport football reporter

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is in talks about a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen.

The 21-year-old was missing from an open training session at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

It is understood that Chelsea would allow a loan move, but not a permanent deal.

Several other clubs have been interested in the youngster, who has three England caps, including Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards believes Everton will accept what he describes as "silly money" from Chelsea for winger Anthony Gordon.

The Toffees are reported to have turned down two offers for the 21-year-old but Edwards expects a deal to be done, especially if Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja are included.

"A month ago I'd have said there is no chance they'd sell," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He was the only bright spark in a dismal season last year and symbolised a happier future.

"Now there's rumour he says he wants to join Chelsea who, quite frankly, are offering silly money for a 21-year-old who had a decent-to-good half season in a struggling team.

"From a business perspective, Everton need to freshen their team so if that means sacrificing Gordon, I think they'll do it."

Listen to more of today's transfer rumour over here

Anthony Gordon has told Everton he wants to sign for Chelsea to play Champions League football and boost his chances of being selected for England's World Cup squad. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Everton have asked the Blues to include either England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 22, or Albania international Armando Broja, 20, on loan as part of the deal to sign Gordon. (talkSPORT), external

Chelsea have pulled the plug on their bid to sign French defender Wesley Fofana, 21, after Leicester City rejected a third bid worth £70m including add-ons. (Sun), external

England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, 21, is expected to undergo a medical at Bayer Leverkusen and complete a loan move from Chelsea in the next 48 hours. (Nicolo Schira via Twitter), external

Italian giants Roma and Inter Milan are both interested in signing Chelsea's 23-year-old English defender Trevoh Chalobah on loan. (90min), external

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

Will Faulks, Talk Chelsea, external

There was nothing anyone could have done to cheer up Chelsea fans who had just seen their team torn apart by their rivals Leeds United. But watching Manchester City going toe to toe with Newcastle in the thrilling follow-up to that stinging defeat will have helped - and not just because it was such an entertaining game.

The 3-3 thriller was a reminder that even a team as efficient as City don't win every game. Sometimes, you come up against a motivated and well-coached team, playing in front of an excited home crowd, who stop you playing your game.

Just like Leeds, Newcastle were energetic and well-organised, and their combined efforts pointed towards a really strong Premier League this season.

It could be a high watermark for the division in terms of quality. Later in the season, the World Cup break will only enhance that increased parity further down the table.

That is no excuse for Chelsea's performance, which was extremely poor regardless of their opposition, but it is a reminder that there will be plenty of dropped points around the league every weekend.

Thomas Tuchel's team just need make to make sure they're not the suckers next time.

Image source, Getty Images

Ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton says the inconsistency of Thomas Tuchel's side is "baffling" after three rollercoaster games and four points to start the season.

The Blues were comprehensively beaten at Leeds United on Sunday and he cannot understand why they have not locked down either their best team or style of play.

"They were average against Everton but they won so we said they showed good character," he explained to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They pummelled Tottenham only to draw 2-2 - and then where did that performance [against Leeds] come from?

"The most galling thing was that Leeds outworked and outfought them and that's unacceptable. I thought Chelsea were woeful."

Chelsea have spent more than £150m this summer but Sutton believes Tuchel is still working out his first-choice side.

"You can't be only finding out about your players when the season starts," he said.

"Come on. Chelsea want to challenge City? Giving trials is not what they've done over the last 20 years."

Listen to the full Chelsea discussion from 26'55 on BBC Sounds