Chelsea
Chelsea sanctioning an exit for this veteran £7m star is a no-brainer – Here’s why they must sell him soon
Chelsea should sanction the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta next summer
According to the Mirror, Chelsea are set to offer club-captain Cesar Azpilicueta a return to Spain next summer if he loses his place to emerging star Reece James.
Mirror understands that La Liga outfits Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad are keeping close tabs on the 30-year-old’s situation at Stamford Bridge ever since the veteran right-back came under criticism for his lacklustre display in the opening day loss away at Man United.
Azpilicueta, who is currently into his eighth season at the club following his bargain £7million move from Marseille in the summer of 2012, continues to be a firm fan favourite at Stamford Bridge but his performances this term haven’t done justice to his reputation.
The 25-cap Spanish international has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea over the course of his illustrious and distinguished career in English football, winning the Europa League and the Premier League on two occasions, as well as the FA Cup and the League Cup once each.
A veteran of 342 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, Azpilicueta is already a legend at the club, but at the ripe age of 30, he finds himself at a stage in his career where a move to a less physically-demanding league, such as the La Liga, would help him stretch his playing career.
The 30-year-old impressed with his consistency levels in the previous campaign under Maurizio Sarri but his start to the new season under Frank Lampard has been less than impressive.
If the first four games are anything to go by, the Spaniard has lacked the level of energy to cope with fast and agile attackers down the flanks, whilst also leaving something to be desired with his general level of anticipation and sharpness as a right-back.
Azpilicueta seemed to have recovered from the disappointment of the opening day 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford but he came under scrutiny once again last week, as the Blues squandered a two-goal deal to settle for a 2-2 draw at home against Sheffield United.
Indeed, it was a below-par result for Chelsea and one that would certainly have given the critics an exclusive right to dissect the flaws of the club’s porous backline.
The Blues have already shipped 9 goals in their first 4 games, the sort of record that is likely to set the alarm bells ringing early in the season at Stamford Bridge.
Despite that, however, Lampard has reason to believe that his team can hit top-gear in the coming weeks and eventually mount a challenge for a top-four finish, with his youthful transition in the first-team already showing signs of reaping rich rewards.
The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and, to some extent, Fikayo Tomori have grabbed their chances with both hands and the charismatic presence of Lampard has been instrumental in extracting the best out of the talented academy stars.
Sadly enough, though, another academy player who was tipped to challenge for a first-team role this season, Reece James, is yet to join the party.
The 19-year-old England youth international, who is seen as the natural heir to the throne of Azpilicueta at Stamford Bridge, hasn’t yet returned to action from his injury but when he does make a return, one would expect him to force his way into the first-team.
The impressive teenager hit great heights on his loan spell at Wigan Athletic in the Championship last season and he apparently has what it takes to make the step up to the Premier League this term.
Indeed, James has a big future at Chelsea and the fans are likely to be thrilled with the prospect of welcoming another homegrown talent to their first-team.
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Azpilicueta, 30, is nearing a stage where his powers are going to be on the decline and a move back to his homeland next summer apparently makes sense for all parties involved.
With that in mind, the Blues should not hesitate to make a call on his future depending on how things pan out over the course of the ongoing campaign.
Chelsea
Chelsea Women vs Auckland FC Women Invitational XI Preview: Champions Begin Oceania Tour at Eden Park
Chelsea Women face an Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI at Eden Park on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as the English champions commence their Oceania pre-season tour.
The friendly represents meaningful preparation opportunity ahead of their 2026-27 championship defence campaign, enabling Sonia Bompastor’s elite squad to test themselves against fresh opposition whilst integrating their summer recruitment additions.
Kick-off: 16:00 AEST (5:00 BST), Saturday, August 8, 2026
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
TV/Stream: Chelsea Official App and Chelsea website (CFC+ subscription required)
Form Guide
Chelsea arrive as English champions following their dominant Women’s Super League title success, establishing themselves as genuine continental force through their multi-competition excellence. Their pre-season schedule following their Fiorentina fixture on August 8 demonstrates deliberate elite opposition sequencing supporting their championship defence preparation.
Auckland FC’s invitational squad, coached by former Football Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, features nine past and present Ferns combined with three American guest players and eight local club representatives. The fixture provides meaningful competitive experience as Auckland prepare for their 2027-28 Women’s A-League debut.
Squad News
Chelsea have named a 28-player touring party packed with established internationals alongside emerging academy talent. England’s Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Lauren James headline the group, joined by Scotland captain Erin Cuthbert, United States defender Naomi Girma and Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe.
Australian defender Ellie Carpenter enjoys her homecoming following her Lyon arrival, whilst recent signing Alyssa Thompson provides additional attacking depth. Young goalkeeper Katie Cox, defenders Chloe Sarwie and Nelly Las alongside midfielders Lola Brown and Lexi Potter gain valuable senior exposure during Chelsea’s Oceania campaign.
Tactical Analysis
Chelsea’s squad composition reflects their established position as elite international talent aggregator, featuring established players including Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan alongside Lucy Bronze both possessing 170+ and 140+ international appearances respectively.
That international diversity combined with proven experience suggests Chelsea approach their championship defence with established quality capable of competing meaningfully across all competitive fronts.
Bompastor’s squad balances proven elite quality with emerging talent development, enabling younger players to gain valuable senior exposure whilst maintaining competitive standards within their touring fixtures.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (4-3-3): Hampton; Carpenter, Buurman, Girma, McCabe; Walsh, Kaptein, Cuthbert; James, Ramírez, Baltimore
Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI (4-2-3-1): Medwin; Baccelli, Green, Winter, Jenkins; Jensen, Ingham, Iro; O’Neill, Trimis, Harris.
Prediction
Chelsea possess genuine quality advantage over Auckland’s invitational arrangement. However, the fixture’s primary value lies in competitive preparation rather than definitive result prediction. Chelsea should control proceedings comfortably whilst providing meaningful opportunities for emerging talents to demonstrate elite-level capability.
Bompastor will likely rotate extensively throughout the fixture, enabling multiple squad members to gain meaningful minutes during their championship defence preparation. Auckland’s invitational structure combined with Chelsea’s quality advantage suggests comfortable victory for the English champions.
Chelsea 4-0 Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI
Also read: Chelsea Winger Eva Hendle Joins Rangers on Season Long Loan for Competitive Development
Chelsea have loaned teenage winger Eva Hendle to Scottish Women’s Premier League side Rangers for the 2026-27 campaign, facilitating meaningful competitive development for the 18-year-old prospect.
Hendle arrives following her Chelsea academy progression spanning six years, establishing herself within senior structures whilst awaiting first-team competitive breakthrough following her recent two-year professional contract commitment to the Blues.
Hendle brings genuine elite-level academy pedigree combined with England youth international recognition at Under-20 level, establishing foundation for her anticipated Rangers contribution during her season-long developmental arrangement. Her pre-season involvement with Chelsea’s senior setup suggests proven quality deserving sustained investment, though loan opportunity provides optimal competitive pathway supporting her accelerated elite-level progression.
Young Prospect Expresses Genuine Rangers Excitement
Hendle articulated authentic enthusiasm regarding her Rangers opportunity, specifically highlighting the club’s history and positive communication from manager Donald Gillies and coach Leanne Crichton as decisive factors. Her language suggests genuine belief in Rangers’ project rather than viewing the loan as merely career convenience, indicating confidence in their ability to provide meaningful development platform supporting her elite-level progression.
The winger’s emphasis upon her positive gut feeling combined with genuine excitement regarding joining the Scottish Premier League club suggests appropriate mentality for managing competitive demands during her inaugural loan experience.
Chelsea Facilitate Development Through Strategic Loan Placement
Hendle’s Rangers loan represents optimal placement enabling both clubs to benefit mutually, with Chelsea facilitating meaningful competitive exposure for their academy graduate whilst Rangers access promising young talent providing attacking depth during their Scottish campaign.
Her simultaneous Chelsea professional contract commitment demonstrates genuine long-term investment from the Blues, suggesting they view her as genuine prospect deserving sustained development rather than temporary academy prospect.
This loan arrangement feels strategically sound for Hendle’s progression. Rather than forcing immediate elite-level competition without competitive foundation, Chelsea identify optimal Scottish environment providing guaranteed meaningful minutes alongside elite coaching. Rangers gain young attacking talent with genuine Chelsea pedigree combined with international youth recognition, suggesting mutually beneficial arrangement supporting Hendle’s accelerated development pathway toward eventual Chelsea senior football contribution.
Chelsea
Chelsea Complete Giulia Dragoni Signing From Barcelona as Italy Youngster Commits Four Year Contract
Chelsea have secured Italy international Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona on a four-year contract, completing significant attacking recruitment of promising young talent.
The 19-year-old forward arrives following her impressive Roma loan spell, where she contributed meaningfully toward the club’s 2025 title triumph, establishing herself as genuine prospect deserving sustained investment within elite structures capable of providing long-term development pathway.
Dragoni brings genuine Barcelona pedigree accumulated through her establishment within the Spanish club’s first-team structures during their quadruple-winning 2023-24 campaign, earning inaugural Best Italian Golden Girl award recognition at just 17 years old. Her rapid progression through Barcelona’s elite environment combined with productive Roma loan contribution demonstrates proven capability performing under championship-level pressure despite her youthful profile.
Young Striker Expresses Genuine Chelsea Dream Realisation
“When I Was a Child, Not Even in My Biggest Dreams Did I Think I Would Sign for Chelsea“: Dragoni articulated authentic emotional excitement regarding her Chelsea appointment, describing her signing as genuine childhood dream realisation transcending typical transfer narratives.
Her recognition of Chelsea’s global status combined with her excitement regarding manager Sonia Bompastor’s project vision suggests genuine belief in the club’s direction rather than opportunistic career progression.
The forward’s emphasis upon Bompastor’s project introduction combined with acknowledgement of Chelsea’s elite positioning suggests appropriate mentality for managing elite-level demands during her inaugural English football experience.
Young Talent Brings Championship Experience From Barcelona and Roma
Dragoni’s dual elite experience across Barcelona’s quadruple-winning structures and Roma’s championship-winning loan spell establishes her as genuinely seasoned performer despite her youth, suggesting remarkable maturity combining with proven resilience. Her rapid Barcelona integration followed by immediately productive Roma contribution demonstrates genuine adaptability across different tactical systems whilst maintaining consistent performance standards.
This signing feels strategically important for Chelsea’s attacking future. Rather than pursuing exclusively established performers, they invest systematically in promising young talent demonstrating genuine elite-level capability and championship experience. Dragoni’s combination of Barcelona pedigree alongside proven Roma success suggests genuine prospect entering optimal development phase within Chelsea’s structures for sustained long-term contribution throughout her prime years.
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