Chelsea put a troubled pre-season behind them to start their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday thanks to Jorginho's penalty.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel expressed concerns that players could be affected in the months before and after the mid-season World Cup in Qatar, saying that the emotions and demands of soccer's showpiece tournament could leave footballers drained.

Chelsea have signed Spanish defender Marc Cucurella from Premier League rivals Brighton on a six-year contract, the London club announced Friday.

For all the global appeal and excitement the Premier League generates, there is a clear danger that the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool reaches a level of repetitiveness that undermines the competitive appeal of England's top flight.

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has been throwing his long arms in the air in familiar gestures of frustration even before his side have kicked a ball in anger in the new season.

New Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly may not yet have had a chance to introduce the Premier League audience to his football skills but he has already gained fans' respect after he called former captain John Terry to ask for his shirt number.

The longest going transfer saga has continued as there is yet another twist in Chelsea's attempts to secure Jules Kounde. Although the Blues felt confident they had done enough to secure his signing at the start of the weekend, Barcelona's apparent U-turn to prepare a bid has put this in doubt.

Kalidou Koulibaly has said goodbye to Napoli as he nears a move to Chelsea, saying: “you have been everything for me”.

Chelsea's new signing Raheem Sterling will be a huge asset for the London club and the England forward will help shape the team, manager Thomas Tuchel said.

Although the story seems to crop up every transfer window, the reactions, feelings and emotions change like the wind. Just the thought of seeing a Chelsea icon back in the royal blue at Stamford Bridge is enough to get the fans excited.

Raheem Sterling confirmed his departure from Manchester City in an emotional message to the club's fans on Wednesday.

27-year-old Sterling has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract ahead of a medical. At the current rate of progress, he is expected to join the Blues on their pre-season tour of the USA.

Cristiano Ronaldo's shock demand to leave Manchester United has thrown Erik ten Hag's plans into disarray as he scrambles to contain the fall-out from the Portugal star's power play.

German international defender Antonio Rudiger has joined Spanish and European champions Real Madrid from Chelsea, the two clubs confirmed on Thursday.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel believes that his side is unlikely to find much support among neutrals when they take on Liverpool in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but said that they do not mind being the "bad guys" as long as they lift the trophy.

Chelsea hammered their London rivals Arsenal 4-1 to win the Europa League thanks to two goals from Eden Hazard, possibly making his last appearance for the Blues, and one apiece for Olivier Giroud and Pedro.

American international Christian Pulisic, regarded as one of the hottest properties in European football, signed for Premier League side Chelsea for a reported fee of £58 million ($74m) from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says that the Premier League side are close to securing a deal for former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri to replace Conte.

Former England and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins has died at the age of 61 following a cardiac arrest, his former club Chelsea announced on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi scores two brilliant goals and creates another for Ousmane Dembele as Barcelona thrash Chelsea 3-0 on Wednesday.