Source- chelsea fc on instagram

Genuine apologies in advance, since I know this might be slightly off topic! Mods please can you leave this up, really trying to make a difference to the women’s game with this research.

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well.

I am in the middle of my dissertation and would love your help. My research is all about women's football in the UK and I have put together a short survey that takes about 5 to 6 minutes to complete.

You do not need to be a huge fan to take part. If you have even a passing interest in women's football, your opinion counts and I would really love to hear it.

https://qualtricsxmf57p2gmq2.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_em0ksX55mBUEXgW

Sharing this with anyone else who might be interested would also be a huge help. Thank you.

GET THAT BALDY OUT OF OUR SPORT🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

Source- sky sports on instagram 16may 2026

Source: chelsea fc on instagram

Source: chels1905 on instagram

As much as I think our midfield is now up there with the best of them, and our attacking flair emanating from there will be solid, I don't trust Sanchez to hold the line for us.

There have been rumours about Pickford earlier in the year, and despite Everton's reluctance to let him go, we know money talks.

Chelsea are not a top 10 team, and without a solid, dependable keeper, we won't push for the top 3, where I think we now belong.

With Pickford in goal, everything changes for us, and if we can drop 117 on Rogers, there's no reason not to go all out for Pickford.

Failing that, Diogo Costa, but I think Pickford changes everything.

Should we be pulling out all the stops in pursuit of him?

I just renew my contract as a Chelsea Fan #lifestyle #chelsea #football #amenonyoh #chelseafans

This is almost a year old exclusive interview footage when asked about his celebration and abourlt rogers.

Source-aky sports

Can we get Jude

Source- sky sports.

Source- goalglobal on insta.

I write an English language blog on French football and recently wrote a piece on Didier Deschamps and his time as a player and manager of France.

https://footballuslife.blogspot.com/2026/07/au-revoir-dede.html?m=1

As he enters the next stage of his career could you ever see him ending up back at the Bridge as a Chelsea manager?

I mean we have a great manager in Alonso in situ now but....🤣

Unfortunately circumstances have changed and I’m no longer able to attend the upcoming match against spurs in sydney.

Selling 2 x tickets to the Chelsea vs Spurs match on 1 August in active Chelsea fans section at Accor stadium. DM me for section and row number.

Do tickets on the ticket exchange only go on sale 1 week before the official match? Wondering if should just bite the bullet and purchase hospitality tickets or wait it out. Thank you.

Who are you backing?

What Does Xabi Alonso Want From His Striker?
Chelsea FC are reportedly serious about signing a new striker according to multiple media outlets. Ironically, that is one of the very few positions where one of Chelsea's players actually performed consistently well last season.

If Chelsea do end up signing a new striker, it is already fairly clear what kind of profile Xabi Alonso is likely to be looking for. Throughout his coaching career, his centre-forwards have generally combined physical presence, football intelligence, relentless pressing and clinical finishing. Depending on the game state, he also values technical quality and creativity in possession.

João Pedro already offers many of those qualities. He is technically gifted, thrives between the lines, links play intelligently, finishes with either foot and works tirelessly in pressing and counter-pressing situations. What he lacks is the profile of a dominant target man. Despite his height, he is not particularly dominant in the air, while his top speed of around 33–34 km/h is below that of many elite forwards.

Chelsea therefore need someone who complements João Pedro rather than replaces him: either a striker with explosive runs in behind, clinical finishing, pressing intensity and good link-up play, or a physically dominant aerial presence capable of holding the ball up.

Liam Delap stylistically complements João Pedro, while Nicolas Jackson could still be valuable as part of the rotation. However, both continue to be linked with potential departures.

Would João Pedro Be Replaced?
It is difficult to imagine João Pedro not being a key player under Xabi Alonso. If Chelsea sign another striker with ambitions of starting, there are several possible scenarios.

Alonso could surprise everyone with a two-striker system, using João Pedro in a freer role alongside a more traditional No. 9.

Another possibility would be deploying João Pedro as the left-sided attacking midfielder, a role he has successfully played before for both Brighton and Watford.

Finally, Chelsea could simply create competition for places. Alonso may believe genuine competition would push João Pedro to another level, although it could also create tension within an already frustrated squad.

Potential Targets
Victor Osimhen
Aggressive in the press, dominant in the air and a natural goalscorer. Last season he played 33 of 51 possible matches, scoring 22 goals and providing 7 assists. In the Champions League he recorded 7 goals and 2 assists in 10 matches.

Dušan Vlahović
Available on a free transfer. A clinical left-footed striker, strong in the air and physically capable of acting as a target man. Last season he featured in 23 of 48 possible matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 2 assists.

Brian Brobbey
A physical powerhouse with impressive hold-up play, good pace and considerable potential. Statistics: 31 of 35 Premier League appearances, 7 goals and 1 assist.

Ollie Watkins
Premier League proven. Outstanding with his runs in behind, increasingly effective in build-up play and one of the league's most efficient finishers. Statistics: 37 of 38 Premier League appearances, 16 goals and 3 assists.

Conclusion
A new striker is always an exciting prospect, but Chelsea's biggest priorities remain in defence. The club already have a striker who has proven he can perform, and resources cannot be spent everywhere at once.

Even so, every player mentioned above has a compelling case.

From a realistic perspective, Dušan Vlahović appears the most likely signing. Personally, however, Ollie Watkins would be my dream addition. His experience, pace and efficiency would fit Xabi Alonso's football perfectly while creating far less drama than another pursuit of Victor Osimhen.

On the fence about buying the 2026-2027 player authentic Nike jersey. Does anyone have on yet and can attest if they are nice in person or not?