Statement in Chelsea FC programme | Sporting Leadership and Directors "As we welcome you to Stamford Bridge today for one final time this season, in a game that always carries special meaning, we do so mindful that this is the point at which a campaign is ultimately defined. "This season has been one that has demanded resilience, belief and unity. Across the men's, women's and Academy teams, our players and staff have continued to represent this club with dedication and purpose, while striving every day to push standards higher. The journey of a season is rarely straightforward, but progress is best measured by how a group responds to challenge, and in that sense we have continued to grow. "At the same time, we are clear in our assessment of the campaign as a whole. It began in strong fashion, with the club crowned world champions at the FIFA Club World Cup. While we are proud of that success, and what it represents for this group, we recognise that the season overall has not met the standards, expectations or ambitions that define Chelsea Football Club. "We understand the disappointment that brings, and we share it. This is a club that measures itself against the very highest levels, and we know we must do better. That responsibility is clear, and it is one we fully accept. The club's supporters expect more, and so do we. "We remain clear in our ambition for Chelsea Football Club. Our aim is to build teams that compete with courage and intelligence, bravery and unity, while establishing foundations that endure beyond a single season. That approach has guided our recruitment and development strategy and the alignment between the Academy and the first teams. Creating sustainable success means investing in talent, but also in time, structure and shared values. No club wants to experience change in the head coach position, and we are continuing to work to bring stability to that role. "With that in mind, we were delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men's Team on Sunday. Xabi is one of the most respected figures in the modern game and will begin work with us this summer having already experienced coaching at the highest level of European football with Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. He is not only an outstanding coach but also a proven leader, and we are thoroughly looking forward to working closely with him. Please join us in giving Xabi a warm welcome to the Chelsea family. "Before then, we look forward to tonight's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, as the men's team looks to end the Premier League season strongly after narrowly missing out on silverware by finishing runners-up in Saturday's FA Cup final. Thanks must go to Calum and his staff for their efforts after stepping up from the Academy this season – a symbol of the pathway both on and off the pitch. Expectations at Chelsea are always to be competing at the top of the Premier League and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League at this stage of the season. That has not changed. Everyone at the club is doing everything they can to correct that next year. "Sonia has set such high standards for Chelsea Women and that success is underlined by the fact winning a single trophy is a below-par season for the team. We are still proud of the achievements and know that the work being done now is providing the foundations for Chelsea Women to maintain our place as the leaders and trailblazers in the sport. We want to give a special mention and thanks to captain Millie Bright who announced her retirement last month, as well as Sam Kerr who played her final game for the club on Saturday, fittingly scoring the winner and equalling a club record of 116 goals. Millie's service to Chelsea, winning 20 trophies and making 314 appearances over 12 years, cements her place in the history of the club, and we were proud to unveil her tribute on the Shed Wall this week. Both Millie and Sam will forever be Chelsea legends. "Again this season, the Academy has taken meaningful steps in their journey, reinforcing our belief that Cobham will continue to be central to the club's future. Teams and individuals have progressed, with the Under-21s crowned Premier League 2 champions and the Under-18s clinched the Premier League South title, as well as significant success throughout the age groups. Special congratulations goes to Shim Mheuka who was named PL Player of the Season last week. Providing pathways and opportunity for young players is a tangible part of how we intend to compete at the highest level. We are proud of the progress shown and determined to see that work continue. "For those of you that will be travelling to Sunderland for the final game of the season, we look forward to seeing you there and hope it is an enjoyable and successful trip. Otherwise, we hope you all have a relaxing summer break before we return in August for the new season. Thank you all so much for your loyal support in 2025/26."

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Valentin Barco to Chelsea ✅ Likely be official at the end of the season with Chelsea focused on trying to get Europe.

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Xabi Alonso brings 4 coaches with him to join Chelsea : 🇦🇷 Assistant Sebastian Parilla - Two decades at Real Madrid + Leverkusen, Alonso’s main and most trusted assistant, also works on defensive set pieces. 🇪🇸 Assistant Alberto Encinas - Four years as an assistant at Barca + Leverkusen and Real Madrid. 🇪🇸 Assistant Beñat Labaien - Obtained UEFA pro license when he was only 21, former chief analyst at Real Sociedad for 4 years + assistants at other clubs including Leeds in 17/18. 🇪🇸 Fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez - Ex Real Madrid, Leverkusen, Denmark National team and more.

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Chelsea beat Spurs and Sunderland - Villa win Europa and lose to City - Liverpool beat Brentford - Bournemouth lose to City and Forest - Brighton lose/draw to United Champions League 👀

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Xabi Alonso: "Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club." "From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies." Welcome Xabi 💙 https://x.com/i/status/2055921389639459068

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Xabi Alonso to be announced as new Chelsea Manager Today or Tomorrow. It's done ✅💙

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🔵 Chelsea have played in 16 FA Cup finals, winning eight and losing eight. 🔵 A victory for Chelsea would break a 13-match winless streak against Man City. The last time Chelsea defeated Pep Guardiola's side was the Champions League final in 2021. 🔵 Chelsea's last win in a domestic cup final came against Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup final. Since then, the club have lost all six of their domestic cup finals - three losses in both the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. 🔵 Despite reaching the final in 2020, 2021 and 2022, Chelsea haven't lifted the FA Cup since they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in 2018. 🔵 Chelsea are the only side to have ever lost the FA Cup final in three consecutive campaigns, doing so between 2020 and 2022. 🔵 Chelsea have failed to score in each of their last four finals at Wembley since a fifth-minute Christian Pulisic goal against Arsenal in the 2020 FA Cup final, which they lost 2-1. 🔵 Enzo Fernández has been involved in six goals in nine FA Cup appearances for Chelsea [4 goals, 2 assists]

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𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪: Arsenal would not break any record if they win the Champions League with just 6 goals conceded. In 2020/21 there was Chelsea who won the Champions League with just 4 goals conceded! https://twitter.com/TouchlineX/status/2053875281002176827

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https://x.com/i/status/2053895416228257902

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https://farcaster.xyz/kazani/0xd146a903

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All signs pointing to 👀

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Chelsea manager search latest: Xabi Alonso - A candidate. Iraola - Chelsea a concrete possibility, not advanced with Crystal Palace ❌ Marco Silva - Chelsea considering whether to make a formal approach, has a 3 year contract on the table to stay at Fulham. Cesc Fabregas - Could become a candidate, even though he has said he wants to stay at Como in the short term.

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Xavi Hernandez?

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If you are a Chelsea fan or not, the narrative portrayed here is so wrong, it has to be corrected!!! It’s easy to clown on Chelsea, and yes, they have made some bad decisions. But let’s not pretend they are uniquely reckless. Clubs like Barcelona and Juventus have posted far worse losses and carried enormous debt during their crises. Barcelona alone hit over €1B in debt and nearly €500M in losses in a single season. That’s not “bad decisions” — that’s systemic financial collapse. Chelsea’s situation has always been different. Much of their “debt” under Abramovich wasn’t traditional bank debt, it was owner-backed and ultimately written off. That’s not the same risk profile as clubs leveraged to the brink. Even Tottenham carries higher gross debt today due to stadium financing, and Manchester United has operated under leveraged debt for years. So yes, criticize Chelsea’s decisions, fair game. But the idea that they are uniquely irresponsible doesn’t hold up. Football is full of clubs that have spent big, lost big, and survived through different financial models. Context matters. Here it is for deeper dive… 1. FC Barcelona Peak debt: ~€1.35 billion (2021) Largest annual loss: ~€481 million (2020–21) A perfect storm of wage overload, failed transfers, and COVID collapse. This is widely seen as the worst financial crisis ever at a top club. ⸻ 2. Tottenham Hotspur FC Peak debt: ~£1.2 billion (~€1.4 billion) Largest annual loss: ~£86 million (2020–21) Huge debt but relatively moderate losses → stadium-driven, controlled risk. ⸻ 3. Real Madrid CF Peak debt: ~€1.2 billion (early 2000s, gross) Largest annual loss: ~€91 million (2020) Even at its worst, losses stayed comparatively contained. ⸻ 4. Juventus FC Peak debt: ~€900 million Largest annual loss: ~€254 million (2020–21) Heavy wage bill (notably Cristiano Ronaldo era) + pandemic hit hard. ⸻ 5. Manchester United FC Peak debt: ~£700–800 million Largest annual loss: ~£115 million (2021–22) Debt from leveraged buyout + declining sporting performance. ⸻ 6. Inter Milan Peak debt: ~€700+ million Largest annual loss: ~€245 million (2020–21) One of the biggest losses ever in Italy; forced player sales afterward. ⸻ 7. AC Milan Peak debt: ~€600–700 million Largest annual loss: ~€195 million (2017–18) Financial instability during ownership turmoil. ⸻ 8. Chelsea FC Peak debt: ~£1 billion (to owner Roman Abramovich) Largest annual loss: ~£153 million (2020–21) High losses but cushioned by owner funding (later written off). Current £500 Million debt is not a jaw dropper but it sure doesn’t show a comparative result for such spending today. https://x.com/i/status/2050113174158840263

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The FA have handed Mykhailo Mudryk a four-year ban. It is now being appealed in CAS. https://twitter.com/JacobsBen/status/2049493911211495542 Strasbourg 2030 we will be there.

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