Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are interested in signing Sunderland's Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs, with the club expecting offers above £50m for the 23 year-old. (Football insider), external
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Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesEight games in four different competitions across just 29 days. Talk about a whirlwind start to a new role for Liam Rosenior at Chelsea.
The new head coach at Stamford Bridge had to hit the ground running and in the main he has. He's won six of those first eight fixtures, with the two defeats coming to Arsenal in the first and second legs of the League Cup semi-final.
As such, perhaps the former full-back hasn't had too much time to ponder some of the larger tactical questions he faces at Chelsea - one of which, undoubtedly, will be getting the best out of the club's recent star player, Cole Palmer.
There's no doubt the England midfielder has been in a lull in terms of form and fitness. A toe injury meant he missed a three-month chunk of football between September and December, so his modest return of five goals for the season is perhaps no surprise. He also had a thigh issue that meant he missed two matches in January.
In the Premier League, the former Manchester City graduate has struggled for a while. In his last 16 top-flight games of the 2024–25 season, he scored one goal – a penalty against Liverpool – while in his last 11 games of this one he has one goal from open play.
The numbers show that the Blues have fared better from an attacking and defensive point of view when he's not been in the team this season.
Palmer is a conundrum that Rosenior still looks to be figuring out. The midfielder has played four games under the new head coach, although intriguingly he's been left on the bench for arguably the two most difficult fixtures so far – away at Napoli and Arsenal.
In Naples, Palmer showcased his brilliance off the bench with two assists, taking advantage of extra space when the game had slowed down. He was given half an hour to do the same against Arsenal on Tuesday, but found it tougher to make an impact against the meanest defence in the country.
In the very early days of Rosenior's tenure, Palmer has pivoted more towards being a playmaker.
His touches per 90 minutes of 63.5 are up compared to his Chelsea average of 59.7, with his touches in the box of 1.8 way down on the 4.7 he's averaged with the Blues so far. In his 255 minutes of football under Rosenior, Palmer has only touched the ball in the penalty area five times.
A more withdrawn attacking role has not meant an uptick in creative numbers yet. Palmer's average chances created per 90 minutes are down from 2.2 to 1.4 since Rosenior took charge, while his average expected assists have dropped to 0.04 from 0.25.
Palmer has also played primarily off the right so far under his new coach, with 53% of his minutes under Rosenior coming on that flank.
Palmer set the bar so high in his first couple of years with the club, with 43 goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge. Undoubtedly, there is still time for him to reach those heights again with the Blues and under Rosenior.
But with a World Cup on the horizon and three competitions for Chelsea still to play for this season, he could do with finding some form again sooner rather than later.
The player and his new coach were spotted in talks on the pitch after the final whistle as Arsenal celebrated on Tuesday. They clearly have plenty to discuss.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's semi-final League Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans
Jerry: This is the mark of champions. With backs against the wall, find a way regardless. Arsenal made a good account of themselves matching Chelsea's funny tactics - how do you set up defensively while chasing a game?
Micky: It certainly was not pretty, but a calculated and methodical approach saw us handle the game superbly. We never looked under any serious pressure and that's testament to the players sticking to the process. Well done to Arteta and the boys for getting us to Wembley, now let's go and win what will hopefully be the first of many trophies!
Zyd: For all the negativity that surrounds the way Arsenal play, the reality is that what matters is the scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes. As much as we celebrate our wins because of our solid defence and laser-sharp focus, we need to bring the same focus to the end of the season. A League Cup trophy might give us a mentality boost; it is level heads that will bring us a quadruple.
Bruce: They used to say we 'bottled it'. Now we show grit, steel, concentration and organisation...and we're 'dull'. Bring on 'boring, boring Arsenal'
Rachel: An uncomfortable watch. Yes Arsenal won, but the intensity was lacking and I didn't feel we ever had total control. Can we win a cup final playing like this?
Chelsea fans
Stuart: Totally understand the requirement to frustrate and subdue Arsenal for an hour or so. The concern is that when we did go for it we looked toothless in attack.
Graham: It was always going to be a big ask playing against one of the best teams in Europe, but great to see (at long last) a change of formation that made us more solid and far more flexible. We always needed not to concede and take the game as far as possible and we managed to still be in the tie at 95 minutes. If rotation takes place v Wolves on Saturday, please not seven players but two or three max.
Marco: Well, that was both confusing and disappointing. I understand Rosenior trying something different in terms of formation, but I have no idea why Delap was on the right wing, for example. It felt like a tactic that should be employed when you are winning, not when you are chasing the tie. The lack of urgency and obsession with keeping the ball would make one feel that Chelsea were the team in the lead. This is not how you want to see your team get knocked out.
Nicholas: Arsenal certainly didn't deserve to win this game but maybe we didn't create enough chances to win it either. I really don't think they are that good a team. They only appear to be good because everyone else is so average and that applies to European football in general. It's just not of a high calibre at the moment.
Keith: Good effort from Chelsea. Unlucky to lose on the night really, although Arsenal deserved it over the two legs. Thought the referee was too quick to stop the play. Delap has to go though, just not up to it!
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea forward Fran Kirby says the evidence of the players "buying into" Liam Rosenior's methodology was clear in Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal.
The Blues lined up with three centre-backs and restricted the Gunners to very few chances before a double attacking substitution on 59 minutes, with Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian replacing Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap, to move back to a more familiar shape and push for an equaliser.
However, they could not find a goal and were eventually caught out on the counter-attack to lose 1-0 on the night with the last kick.
"I think Chelsea can take huge confidence from the game," Kirby told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"They really nullified Arsenal and that's not easy to do, especially at the Emirates.
"Rosenior hasn't had long to work on this, players are playing out of position and having to learn where to be in and out of possession.
"But, you could see they have been working on their shape and their press. They reduced Arsenal to a lot of long balls as they struggled to find their pockets around how compact Chelsea were.
"Malo Gusto was coming into midfield, Enzo Fernandez was moving out to the left - these are not their natural positions so they had to learn.
"The effort levels that the players put in - you can see the way Rosenior wants them to press aggressively and run back for each other is starting to rub off on them.
"You can see the players are buying into it, there were no arms being thrown in the air or complaining at each other.
"You look at Fernandez - he covered every blade of grass with his effort levels out of possession and then towards the end of the game was getting involved in possession and driving the team forward.
"Those are the players you want your other players to look at as an example and the ones you want in your team."
Chelsea, AC Milan and Newcastle are all interested in Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic, 26, on a summer free transfer. (Football Italia), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesLiam Rosenior flexed his tactical muscles for the first time since his appointment as Chelsea manager four weeks ago.
Until now, the Englishman had largely continued with predecessor Enzo Maresca's system, reluctant to overload his players with too much information too soon.
However, after winning six of his first seven games, including his opening four Premier League matches, Rosenior delivered a surprise for his opposite number.
For the first time since March 2024, under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea lined up with three centre-backs. The system is likely to appeal to supporters, with Thomas Tuchel having used it during the club's 2021 Champions League triumph and Antonio Conte adopting it in the 2017 Premier League title win.
Rosenior also took an additional gamble by leaving three players high up the pitch to counter-attack when Arsenal took corners. The approach gave Arsenal the opportunity to outnumber Chelsea in the box, but committing the same number of players forward would have left them exposed to breaks.
Arsenal adapted by bringing more men back to cover, allowing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez the space to claim crosses - one of his key strengths.
It was in stark contrast to how Chelsea coped in the first leg, conceding from a corner early on and letting in three goals from set-pieces.
For 45 minutes, Arsenal's front four barely touched the ball and Rosenior's adjustments paid off. Enzo Fernandez forced a save just before half-time in a cagey opening period.
Chelsea made a double attacking substitution on 59 minutes, with Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian replacing Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap, to restore Chelsea to their more familiar shape. Alejandro Garnacho later joined the fray as another attacking option, coming on for midfielder Andrey Santos.
Yet Arsenal, so assured defensively this season, largely kept the door shut. They conceded only a half-chance - Wesley Fofana's near-post flick from an 82nd‑minute corner - and a handful of long‑range efforts from the in‑form Fernandez.
As they pushed for a goal to keep the tie alive, a familiar face in Kai Havertz broke Chelsea's hearts.
It felt harsh for the Blues to lose on the night, but even in defeat, Rosenior can take encouragement from a significantly improved display compared with the first leg at Stamford Bridge, where the tie had effectively slipped away.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, speaking to ITV1: "We dominated the areas we wanted to in the second half, but we didn't find that quality moment.
"When you're pushing as we were, we put both defenders in the box and in the last few minutes of injury time that [conceding] can always happen.
"Arsenal knew they were in for a game, over both ties. I think there are clear improvements from the first leg to the second. Yes, it's painful to lose - you want to go through. We just need to keep making improvements, which I'm seeing."
Any regrets from the first leg? "I'm not making excuses, but we had an illness go through the camp on the day of the game - we had four players missing - and I'd been in charge for three days. I cannot fault the application, intensity or the fight of the players.
"What we need to do is remember that this is the start and I'm really, really happy with a lot of things I'm seeing. You want to get the results - but we need to make sure we rest and recover and we keep improving as we go."
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Chelsea's display?
Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies
Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter
Arsenal make three changes from the 4-0 win over Leeds on Saturday as they look to protect their 3-2 lead in the second leg at Emirates Stadium.
Injury doubt Bukayo Saka is not involved, neither is captain Martin Odegaard.
Kepa Arrizabalaga retains his place as the cup goalkeeper in place of David Raya.
Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Subs: Raya, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea make four changes from the 3-2 comeback win over West Ham on Saturday.
Liam Rosenior plays a back five for the first time as Chelsea manager in a team with wing-backs instead of wingers.
Estevao Willian makes the bench having been in Brazil on compassionate leave over the weekend.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Enzo, Delap, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Badiashile, Holland, Palmer, Estevao, Garnacho, Guiu, Mheuka.
Will Faulks
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea's January ended up being a quiet one - which was always what was expected, despite some tantalising and far-fetched rumours along the way.
The winter window's purpose for the Blues these days is mainly to shuffle their loans around, and that made up the bulk of the action at Cobham in the past few weeks. Mamadou Sarr was brought back from Strasbourg to add to Liam Rosenior's options at the back, while Aaron Anselmino and David Datro Fofana went the other way.
Given their ongoing settlement with Uefa over past overspending, Chelsea were never going to buy big without selling players. Once it was clear they were not getting any serious offers for those they were willing to shift, the rumoured moves for high-priced stars like Jeremy Jacquet became unrealistic.
Of course, fans would have dreamed for major additions, but important housekeeping was done nevertheless. Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi are now gone, meaning the "bomb squad" has been dissolved - for now.
A quiet January also sets Chelsea up for a far busier summer, when they will have a better idea of what Rosenior wants and needs to add, and with whom he is willing to part.
So while it was not an exciting window, it was still a significant one. The lingering fear is that if Jacquet - the one first-team target seriously pursued by Chelsea in January - ends up being as good as some people say he could be, the decisions made this month could end up looking much worse in retrospect.
Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external
Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger
Image source, Getty ImagesI was fortunate enough once again to find myself at the game of the weekend, this time at Stamford Bridge. It's been a long time since I have seen such a dramatic change of feeling from a support in 45 minutes. At half-time and 2-0 down to West Ham, there was mutiny in the air.
Chelsea were awful and the changes made since the win in Naples on Wednesday had been disastrous. The Blues' left flank was being torn apart by a flying Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a brilliant Jarrod Bowen.
Bringing on Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Wesley Fofana changed everything.
Chelsea were suddenly slick, hungry and unstoppable going forward. By full-time it was six wins in Liam Rosenior's first seven games, including two fabulous comebacks in a week.
We have enjoyed brilliantly entertaining matches that are exciting to watch for good and for bad. This is classic Chelsea reverting to type.
One question remains: why are the supporters so quick to turn on a team who are current Club World Cup champions, have advanced in the Champions League and are in the hunt for a top-four place in the Premier League?
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Chelsea have done the following business on deadline day:
Winger Ato Ampah, who came through the club's academy and made one senior appearance, has completed a permanent move to Championship side Stoke City.
Striker David Datro Fofana, who joined Chelsea in 2023 and has made four appearances in total for the first team, will spend the rest of the campaign on loan with Strasbourg.
Aaron Anselmino has completed a loan move to Strasbourg until the end of the season, with the central defender recently recalled from his loan spell at German side Borussia Dortmund.
Defender Mamadou Sarr has been recalled from his loan spell at Strasbourg, with the 20-year-old having made 18 appearances for the French side since he joined in the summer.
Tyrique George has joined Everton on loan from Chelsea, with an option to buy. George told Everton's club media: "I just want to enjoy it, learn under him [David Moyes] and improve."
Axel Disasi has joined the West Ham on loan until the end of the season from Chelsea. The 27-year-old France international told West Ham's clubs media: "I'm just ready to fight and to play games."
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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea have now completed 12 deals with Strasbourg just this season alone, raising a simple question: why?
A large number of those transfers have been loan moves from Stamford Bridge back to France, allowing players to gain minutes before either returning to Chelsea or being sold.
Last season, for example, midfielder Andrey Santos impressed at Stade de la Meinau and now looks ready for Chelsea's first team, while goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was sold to Bournemouth for £25m, enabling Chelsea to double the fee they paid for him in 2023.
Chelsea have also sent unwanted players such as David Datro Fofana and Ben Chilwell in the opposite direction, which has benefited Strasbourg, who are now able to compete for European places.
They have also signed a number of Strasbourg's standout players, including Mamadou Sarr, who rejoined Chelsea on deadline day after being bought for £12m last January, and striker Emmanuel Emegha, who will arrive in the summer.
Current loanees, goalkeeper Mike Penders and defender Aaron Anselmino, will hope to follow in Andrey Santos's footsteps while gaining valuable first‑team experience.
In most cases, Chelsea's link with Strasbourg benefits both clubs as well as the players involved. There is, however, a question over whether it is fair on other clubs who do not have the option of operating in this way.
Chelsea would argue that they are far from the first to run a multi‑club model, that they are not breaking any rules, and that others are free to adopt a similar approach if they choose.
Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special for London, discussing the business done by Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham, plus the capital's EFL sides.
The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis on the done and rumoured deals.
