Gossip: Alexander-Arnold and Scott targeted by Chelseapublished at 07:17 GMT
07:17 GMT
Chelsea have been linked with a move for England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold if the 28-year-old Real Madrid defender becomes available. (Football Insider), external
Chelsea are interested in Borussia Dortmund's United States winger Mathis Albert but Manchester City are favourites to sign the 17-year-old. (Teamtalk), external
Finally, the Blues are monitoring 21-year-old Comodefender Jacobo Ramon, with Arsenal and Manchester United also linked with the Spaniard. (Mail - subscription required), external
Should Chelsea look to sell Fofana?published at 16:03 GMT 29 October
16:03 GMT 29 October
Image source, Getty Images
Blues fan Savage Dan says he is "not sure where Wesley Fofana's Chelsea career goes from here" in reaction to the defender's display against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Fofana joined the Blues in 2022 for £70m from Leicester City but has made just 78 appearances, though the 25-year-old did miss the whole 2023-24 season because of an ACL injury.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat by Liverpool, Savage Dan said: "How many times am I going to say that there are players at the club who do not deserve to play for Chelsea, who do not deserve to put on that shirt?
"Wesley Fofana, I'm sorry to have to point you out yet again, but to give away the handball [penalty] and then, in a penalty shootout that seemed to be going on forever, to miss the decisive penalty as well, adds insult to injury.
"I'm not sure where his Chelsea career goes from here. I've been waiting for him to show us something for years and years and it still has not come to fruition. Maybe this will be the straw that broke the camel's back."
What are your thoughts on Fofana? Is it time for the defender to move on or do you believe he has a future at Stamford Bridge?
Liverpool 1-1 (6-5) Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:51 GMT 29 October
11:51 GMT 29 October
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's EFL Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Oliver: A pretty even game but Liverpool had plenty of chances to take an advantage. Last 20 minutes were a complete mess after the subs came on. Penalties could've gone either way. My heart can't take it. I have confidence that this could be our year for this competition.
Sam: We got two wins today! The second being that Joe Gomez scored!
Alun: Nothing really learnt. We just progressed. Chelsea were a same level opponent and the teams just played each other out. Then pens are just a lottery.
Ken: A decent cup tie under the lights. So impressed with young Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha, who are looking more and more accomplished with each passing game. Should've won inside 90 minutes but we would have then been deprived of a thrilling penalty shootout and Joe Gomez scoring the decisive goal at the Kop End! What a time to be alive!
Chelsea fans
Roger: Very poor, again. Much the stronger starting XI but no quality for 90 minutes. Welbeck deserves respect but, as we've seen already this season, is no longer a 90-minute man. It says all anyone needs to know about the club's leadership that we still think our squad is complete with just one bona fide striker. Another season of mediocrity.
Chris: Once again, I'm left wondering how we ever paid Leicester £75m for Wesley Fofana. Another disastrous performance from the French international? No wonder he can't get a game in the Premier League after that performance!
James: Disappointed as this was a good chance to win a trophy. The wider issue is of course having a large squad to keep happy with only league games until the new year. On a positive note I feel this Chelsea team could end up having a decent season.
Patrick: Alonso won't play Estevao, why? He's going to be under pressure real soon if he doesn't improve.
Neto's revival limits Estevao's chancespublished at 08:26 GMT 29 October
08:26 GMT 29 October
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The last time Chelsea beat Liverpool, Estevao was the talk of the Premier League.
The Brazilian was still in his first couple of months at Stamford Bridge when his name hit the headlines after he scored the winner against the Premier League champions with practically the final kick of the match last October.
Fast forward 12 months, and Estevao is beginning to attract attention for all the wrong reasons as he struggles to force his way into Xabi Alonso's side.
The 19-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer, was conspicuous by his absence on Wednesday night as Chelsea were knocked out of the Carabao Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
Sadly for Estevao, Wednesday night's situation at Anfield was nothing new for him.
The Brazilian's total minutes for the campaign so far stand at an underwhelming 172, with 125 of those coming in the victories over Luton Town and Leeds United in the earlier rounds of the EFL Cup.
One of the main reasons behind Estevao's exile has been the form of Pedro Neto.
The 26-year-old was linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, but he ultimately remained at Stamford Bridge.
That decision appears to have been influenced by Alonso, who has underlined his faith in Neto by handing him seven starts in eight Premier League matches this season.
His success out on the right - which also happens to be Estevao's favoured position - has meant opportunities have been few and far between for the Brazilian.
He has primarily been deployed as a right-sided wing-back in Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system, with his Premier League experience and greater defensive solidity compared to Estevao seemingly winning over the Spaniard.
After an impressive start to the campaign, in which he has scored four goals in 11 matches, Neto was rewarded with a new six-year deal.
Estevao will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Neto and revive his Stamford Bridge career.
Gossip: Chelsea consider move for Barca midfielder Lopezpublished at 07:15 GMT 29 October
07:15 GMT 29 October
Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are among the clubs eyeing Como midfielder Nico Paz, although the Serie A side have no intention of selling the 22-year-old Argentina international. (Teamtalk), external
France forward Desire Doue, 21, is in contract talks with Paris St-Germain as the Ligue 1 side look to secure his long-term future in the face of interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea remain keen admirers of Everton's 24-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but face competition from United. (Football Insider), external
The Blues are weighing up a move for Spain and Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, with Paris St-Germain also interested in the 23-year-old. (CaughtOffside), external
Liverpool are in contact with Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, 22, who nearly joined Chelsea over the summer. (Sun), external
Missed opportunity for Alonso as Reds extend winning runpublished at 07:14 GMT 29 October
07:14 GMT 29 October
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
With Chelsea not in Europe and downbeat after their weekend loss to Tottenham, the Carabao Cup represented a genuine opportunity for Xabi Alonso to win a major trophy and that was reflected by his team selection.
His side didn't make the best of starts at Anfield but once they took the lead, he will be disappointed their advantage lasted only three minutes.
They still battled well and offered a threat, but the defeat will hurt, particularly because they blew a glorious opportunity to win the tie when Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha had his effort saved.
Alonso said his side showed improvement from the Spurs game and played with courage, and he was right, but ultimately this was another defeat.
Much has been documented about the friendship between Spaniards Alonso and Andoni Iraola and, while it is only three months into the new season, it's clear Iraola has had the better start. He will enter November, having tasted defeat just once in all competitions.
The mood around Anfield at full-time was jubilant and Liverpool fans have now seen their team win their last five in a row, with the last three at home.
It is Arsenal next on Sunday in the Premier League and a test of where the Reds are. A win against the defending champions would put Liverpool three points behind them in the table.
Both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot also reached the final of this competition in their first season in charge and, in the back of his mind, Iraola will have his sights set on emulating them.
Where was Estevao?published at 22:57 GMT 28 October
22:57 GMT 28 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Estevao's struggle to force his way into Xabi Alonso's side: "I think it's one Alonso has to answer very soon because you can talk about injuries and suspensions to forward players, but in a game like today he is a difference maker.
"He's the last person you want to see come on that pitch if you are a Liverpool defender. Him getting on the ball, running at you, making things happen.
"There's something at the moment that is stopping him from getting the game time that we are all sitting here thinking he should be getting."
Liverpool 1-1(6-5) Chelsea: What Alonso and Rogers saidpublished at 22:50 GMT 28 October
22:50 GMT 28 October
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso speaking to Sky Sports following the penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup: "Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition. It was really close from both sides. Penalties mean it is open to anything.
"They have performed at a good enough level to compete at Anfield. We conceded the penalty and it was even. The game was really close for both sides.
"It has been a solid performance from Mike [Penders]. We didn't concede many chances but he was quite stable and solid with his performances. That was really important in the first half for us.
"This is football. It is part of our job. We were showing a good level and this is what it takes to come to these stadiums. The Premier League is the main focus.
"We don't have much time to recover because the game is Saturday early kick-off so we need to change the mindset quite quickly."
Morgan Rogers also spoke to ITV: "It is probably the worst way to lose a game.
"It was an even game and at times we had the better of it. I had half chances that I'd have liked to have put away.
"It was one of them that can go either way and you have to accept it."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
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Why Alonso needs Carabao win more than Iraolapublished at 15:48 GMT 28 October
15:48 GMT 28 October
Chris Bertram BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
A League Cup tie between two of the countries biggest clubs is not usually an important barometer of a season - but Liverpool v Chelsea might be just that.
It was very early days, but when Chelsea won their opening two Premier League games in thrilling fashion and Liverpool laboured to two draws, it looked as if the Anfield club might lament their hesitancy over Xabi Alonso.
Since then, though, Andoni Iraola's side have clawed their way above Chelsea in the table - albeit by just one point - and it is Alonso who has more questions to answer.
Chelsea have no European football this season, so to go out of the Carabao Cup this week would leave them with only league games and the FA Cup to play - and a big group of players to keep happy.
It would also reinforce the feeling - on the back of poor results against Hull City, Brentford and Tottenham - that Alonso is a long way from getting to grips with an expensive but imbalanced squad.
The collapse of the deal for Lamine Camara looks every bit as costly as it felt on transfer deadline day, with Moises Caicedo shouldering too much work in midfield, which has left exposed a defence that has yet to convince irrespective of formation and personnel.
In the vast majority of seasons, this game would be a run-out for fringe players as the superstars were rested before a league game followed by Champions League action.
In 2026-27 however, Alonso will field a strong side in search of a statement win at his former club. He will hope it can change the narrative after the miserable defeat to Spurs.
Liverpool are in better spirits after four successive wins since the defeat against Manchester City.
Iraola has extracted more from costly forward recruits than Arne Slot managed and the progress Rio Ngumoha has made under him has been impressive. The team is playing with more energy and purpose than last season, even if a porous central midfield remains a concern.
That improved intensity in addition to fourth place in the league and a 100% Champions League record means Iraola has made a good early impression.
He will however be aware that a defeat to the man - and a popular former player at that - who was widely touted for his job would be a less-than-ideal look.
Yet with a smaller squad and more fixtures for Liverpool, he is likely to field more youngsters - and that could give Chelsea the opportunity to seize the statement win their stuttering season could do with.
Alonso to celebrate Chelsea goals against Liverpoolpublished at 07:15 GMT 28 October
07:15 GMT 28 October
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter at Cobham Training Centre
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he will celebrate if the Blues score against his former club Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The Spaniard, 44, is returning to Anfield for the first time since becoming Blues manager over the summer.
Asked how he will react if Chelsea score, Alonso said: "Of course, I will celebrate, for sure. With full respect because for sure, my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player.
"But now, I am in a different role, I need to support my team, I need to support my club, I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect.
"That is the respect for my club and the respect for the opponent as well."
It is the third time Alonso has returned as a visiting manager, having done so in his previous roles at Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen across the last two seasons.
Former Reds boss Arne Slot was still in the role before the decision was made for the Dutch head coach to be sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola.
However, Alonso was believed to be on Liverpool's radar before Slot's appointment, after his sensational league and cup double in his first top-level managerial season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Asked about that time, he explained: "Well at that time I was at Leverkusen and I was aware of the situation but I decided to stay. That was my decision at the time."
Alonso also explained that striker Joao Pedro is probably out until after the international break in November.
Alonso on Pedro's injury, Emegha and finding 'solutions not excuses'published at 14:30 GMT 27 October
14:30 GMT 27 October
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup round of 16 game against Liverpool at Anfield (20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Alonso confirmed Joao Pedro will miss Wednesday's game and faces "a few weeks" on the sidelines after missing Saturday's home defeat by Tottenham with a problem picked up in training: "He has an injury on his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks. Let's see how many, we don't want to predict on that."
How will the Blues cope without their top scorer?: "We will miss him but we have to be ready to deal with that and win games and be competitive with the players we have available. This is the situation. We have to be looking for solutions not for excuses. This is why you build a squad. For sure, some players are important but this can happen."
Alonso confirmed that summer arrival Emmanuel Emegha will be in the squad for the first time: "For sure it's important that we have him available because he has special qualities. He has been training for the last 10 days in a good way that gives him a strong base to build his fitness. Maybe tomorrow he has his chance to play."
Reflecting on the disappointing defeat by rivals Spurs, Alonso said: "We were not happy for sure with the result and performance. It was a big game and it could have been better. Now we have moved on and the focus is just on Liverpool."
On Cole Palmer, who was sent off for the first time in his career: "We spoke and for sure he knows the mistake he made. There are things you can avoid. I hope this is not going to be repeated. He is aware of that. He's in a good space. He is mature and he made a mistake."
Asked why Estevao and Danny Welbeck did not start and were not introduced until deep into the second half on Saturday, Alonso said: "I assessed all the possibilities we have, what we have prepared during the week, and the qualities the players have for each game. That was the case on Saturday and that will be the case tomorrow."
On 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, who scored an own goal against Spurs on his first Premier League start: "It's a challenge to deal with good performances and with mistakes. That is part of the job. What happened on Saturday, it is the past and a lesson for him and everyone. We fully support him for tomorrow."
Alonso has new headaches at Chelsea in big weekpublished at 11:55 GMT 27 October
11:55 GMT 27 October
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is heading into a difficult week of matches, and defeat at home to Tottenham has raised the stakes ahead of Wednesday's trip to Liverpool.
The defeat was notable for a mistake by 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, which swung the game in Spurs' favour.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer was sent off and is suspended for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie.
There was also the surprise absence of star striker Joao Pedro, with his fitness likely to be another topic at today's news conference (13:30 BST).
After the trip to Anfield, struggling Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge for Saturday's early kick-off.
It is a challenging week for Alonso, who may face tougher questions today after Chelsea's two-game winning run since the international break had appeared to put them back on track.
