Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Bournemouthpublished at 11:02 BST 10 October
11:02 BST 10 October
Bournemouth have not won yet under Marco Rose, and they are also without key midfielder Alex Scott for a while as a result of his injury on international duty.
I feel like the Cherries have been a bit unlucky with their results under Rose so far, because they have conceded some costly late goals, but Scott's absence is a huge blow for them.
Chelsea are already turning into a team that are a nightmare to predict - defensively they have got huge issues, but they have got such a talented attack.
Some people thought they would be up there challenging for the title, but they look far too inconsistent to do that.
Anything could happen in this game and I was tempted to say Bournemouth will get something out of it.
But Cole Palmer will be rested and refreshed after his injury so I am going to base my prediction on how I expect Chelsea's frontline to click.
Chelsea v Bournemouth: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:18 BST 9 October
19:18 BST 9 October
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Chelsea seek a return to form at the expense of Bournemouth, who are winless in the league this season as well as in the past nine meetings between the clubs – although the three most recent occasions all ended in draws.
Baffling Blues
Widely lauded after opening the season with two entertaining wins, Chelsea have nosedived to mid-table and eight points off the top three games later.
"We have dropped our consistency and our competitive mentality," bemoaned head coach Xabi Alonso in the wake of the 3-0 loss at Brentford immediately prior to the international break. That defeat was Chelsea's 11th of 2026 in the league, already one more than in the entirety of last year.
Chelsea's defensive shortcomings have been much discussed. They have faced the most shots on target (32), let in a league-high 12 goals and could become only the third team in Premier League history to concede twice or more in each of their opening six games of a season, after Everton in 1994-95 and Derby County in 2000-01.
Furthermore, the Blues' current run of 21 league fixtures without a clean sheet is their longest since a club record 31-match streak between 1960 and 1961.
Nonetheless, Chelsea's attacking potency means they are providing great entertainment, for neutral observers at least. Their top-flight games have produced an unrivalled 22 goals and they are just the 10th side to both score and concede double figures across their first five Premier League matches in a season. Each of the previous three, beginning with Chelsea themselves in 2019-20, went on to finish in the top four.
Scott injury bites Cherries
It has also been a curious start to 2026-27 for Bournemouth, who won on their European debut away to Real Sociedad and are through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup – but remain without a victory in the league despite only trailing for 45 minutes this season.
They now face a run of nine games in 30 days without key midfielder Alex Scott, who was the subject of a failed £64m bid from Chelsea in the summer. He gave an assured display on his first senior England start against Croatia last weekend but suffered a thigh muscle injury during that 7-0 win.
"He is good in everything, and to miss a player who is good in everything is a challenge," admitted Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose.
That assessment of Scott's importance is borne out by the fact he ranks in the Premier League top five this season for a variety of metrics, including winning possession, fouls won and total distance covered.
Alonso on Caicedo's return, Palmer's fitness and Bournemouthpublished at 14:44 BST 9 October
14:44 BST 9 October
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Alonso confirmed Moises Caicedo, who has only played 14 Premier League minutes so far this season, is available to face the Cherries: "Yes, he is ready to go. Finally. Anyone would miss a player of his quality and importance. We have missed him, for sure, and we are happy he is back and he feels better. We didn't want to take risks for Brentford, for example, but he feels much better."
He also confirmed Reece James, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Marco Pallestra have trained and are "ready to go". However, winger Jamie Gittens will be out for "a few weeks" with an ankle injury picked up on duty for England Under-21s.
More on Palmer, who withdrew from the England squad to manage his workload: "He has trained this week and feels better. The most important thing for Cole is to be fully fit and enjoying his game. For the next part, we have a good feeling with him and he is feeling better."
Asked whether young defender Josh Acheampong is pushing for more opportunities, Alonso said: "He has played already a few games. He is ready, for sure, to play. He did well with the England Under-21s. He is playing more maturely and more aggressively, knowing what it takes to play in the Premier League. He has played and will play again."
On winger Estevao Willian's lack of Premier League minutes so far this season: "It's still early in the season. Este is feeling much better from the injury. He has played for Brazil, the context is different, but we know the demand of the Premier League. He will have his moments in some games and more minutes."
On the departure of sporting director Laurence Stewart: "Laurence helped us a lot and I am thankful for that and I wish him the best. I don't think it will change much with our working structure and communication."
On the challenge posed by the Cherries: "A tough test. So intense, high tempo game, so demanding. They know what they're doing with Marco [Rose] and previously with Andoni [Iraolo]. The core of the team is the same. We need to have a good game and we need a win."
Alonso was asked for his opinion on the guilt verdicts handed to Manchester City in regards to breaking Premier League financial rules: "For sure, it is a decision but we need to be patient. We need to wait for the final sanctions from the panel. I think they are independent enough to assess all the situatons. I am not an expert, whatever I say and whatever opinion I have they are the ones to take it. We need to respect the decision and we have to be patient for sure."
Asked if his players are talking about the City news, he replied: "I don't think so. We don't have information. Our situation doesn't change. We need to focus on our own situation and what we can control. But, for sure, we will see what happens in the right moment. We need to be respectful."
As City continue to fight the case by lodging an appeal, the league resumes and, for Chelsea, there are more questions than answers.
New manager Xabi Alonso suffered a 3-0 defeat at Brentford before the three-week international break, and there are major concerns about his side's inability to keep goals out against top-flight opposition.
During the break, Chelsea also lost 2-0 to Championship side Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
The pressure is building before Bournemouth's visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the Blues sitting 10th in the table.
Alonso could be boosted, however, by the return of several injured players, including Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha.
Cole Palmer also withdrew from England duty and was criticised by manager Thomas Tuchel over his availability for the national team.
Meanwhile, Jamie Gittens was injured while representing England Under-21s.
Chelsea's poor form may be the main question, but some of those returning players could provide the answer.
Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Alonso's pre-Bournemouth news conference.
Gossip: Chelsea eye move for Barca's De Jongpublished at 07:04 BST 9 October
07:04 BST 9 October
Chelsea are keen on signing Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 29, as a belated replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who moved to Manchester City on transfer deadline day. (Sport - in Spanish), external
How similar will the table look at the end of the season?published at 07:00 BST 9 October
07:00 BST 9 October
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Just five games in, it might seem a bit early to pay much attention to the Premier League table - but it's probably more settled than you think.
If we look at the Premier League after five games last season and where teams ultimately ended up, the final table was already starting to take shape as 13 of the 20 sides finished within four places of where they sat even at this early stage (65%).
Eventual champions Arsenal were second, Sunderland were already seventh - where they finished eight months later - and two of the three sides that were relegated were already in the bottom three.
The eventual champions have been in the top two at this point in the past four campaigns, suggesting - potential punishments aside - it will be Manchester City or Arsenal that lifts the trophy.
The top end of the table overall has sometimes settled surprisingly quickly in recent years. The top eight after five games in 2024-25 finished as the top eight at the end of that season (although not in the same order), while the top six in 2019-20 and top seven in 2016-17 were also in place at this early stage.
While being top after five games has not meant much in recent seasons, being bottom certainly has.
Tottenham could well be in trouble once again as the side bottom of the Premier League after five games has been relegated in six of the past seven seasons.
Being bottom this early did not used to be such a bad omen. Between 2013-14 and 2018-19, only one of the six sides that were propping up the table after five games ended up going down - Newcastle in 2015-16 - while Crystal Palace finished as high as 11th in 2017-18.
Looking at the relegation battle more broadly, at least one of the teams in the bottom three at this stage has been relegated in the past eight seasons - so one of Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry City are very likely to be heading to the Championship in May.
The pool of contestants for this season's relegation battle may already be decided too because the three sides that ultimately went down in the past three seasons were all in the bottom six after five games, which would add Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to the mix.
The last sides to be outside the bottom six at this point but relegated were Leeds United and Southampton in 2022-23, who were both in the top half (seventh and ninth). With their teams currently in eighth and 11th place, Hull City and Ipswich Town fans will hope that is still the case at the end of this campaign.
While the season may well have barely begun, the Premier League table is already starting to take shape.
Chelsea 'always needs to win one trophy per year' - Chavarriapublished at 16:56 BST 8 October
16:56 BST 8 October
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea defender Pep Chavarria has described Blues boss Xabi Alonso is "one of the best coaches in the world right now" and said the Stamford Bridge side need to return to consistently winning silverware.
Alonso's reign began with back-to-back Premier League victories, but his side have taken just one point from their past three matches and performed poorly in the 3-0 defeat by Brentford in their final game before the extended international break.
Chavarria, a £16m summer signing from Rayo Vallecano, has featured in all seven of Chelsea's games so far this season but started for the first time at the Gtech Community Stadium.
"I want to win trophies," the 28-year-old told club media. "This is my goal, and I would like to qualify for the Champions League."
The Blues have not been Premier League champions since the 2016-17 season and since winning the Champions League in 2021 have only won the Conference League and newly expanded Club World Cup in 2025.
"Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world and always needs to win one trophy per year and play in the Champions League," Chavarria added.
"Xabi is one of the best coaches in the world right now. I am learning a lot, and I know that he wants to help me. I am learning and my adaptation is very good. I can do more and I can improve."
Gossip: Blues monitoring Quansah's progresspublished at 06:39 BST 8 October
06:39 BST 8 October
Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are all monitoring England defender Jarell Quansah as the 23-year-old continues to impress for Bayer Leverkusen. (Caught Offside), external
Former Blue Pedro announces retirement from footballpublished at 15:55 BST 7 October
15:55 BST 7 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea forward Pedro has announced his retirement from football aged 39.
Pedro joined the Blues as a 28-year-old in 2015, having won three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles during an extraordinary, trophy-laden seven years with Barcelona.
His winning mentality was clear to see during his five years at Stamford Bridge, where he won the 2016-17 Premier League, the FA Cup in 2018, and the Europa League in 2019.
A tenacious and technically impressive winger, Pedro scored 43 goals and provided 26 assists in 206 Chelsea appearances, including some that will be remembered by Blues fans for many years.
During the Premier League-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, he scored after 30 seconds in a 4-0 win over a Jose Mourinho-led Manchester United, a fine equaliser against Tottenham in a 2-1 comeback win, and another long-range curler against Everton which all but sealed the title.
Pedro also found the net in the 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final.
He left to join Roma in 2020, before becoming the first player since 1985 to move between the two Rome rivals when he signed for Lazio in the following year, remaining there until his decision to retire.
Pedro ends his playing career as one of the most decorated players in modern football, having also won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships with Spain.
Sporting director Stewart to leave Chelseapublished at 09:13 BST 7 October
09:13 BST 7 October
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea sporting director Laurence Stewart is set to leave the club by mutual consent in the near future.
The 40-year-old leaves on excellent terms to pursue other opportunities in a move that is internally seen as related to the "tweak of the (recruitment) model" that influential co-owner Behdad Eghbali spoke about at the end of last season.
Stewart has spent nearly four years at Chelsea under the BlueCo ownership, but many of his responsibilities will be absorbed into the roles of Joe Shields and Sam Jewell.
Shields and Jewell work closely with influential sporting director Paul Winstanley on player identification, negotiations and squad planning.
Winstanley also oversees a host of other areas, including medical, player support and other internal operations.
Meanwhile, Dave Fallows is part of the sporting leadership in a flexible advisory capacity rather than working within a fixed remit on a day-to-day basis.
It is part of the structure around Xabi Alonso, whose arrival sparked further conversations about how to improve both the squad and the way the club operates behind the scenes.
The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager has spoken about wanting to be heavily involved in transfer decisions, including playing a role in the decision to sign players aged over 30 such as Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Emiliano Martinez.
There will also be investment in data staff below director level to add capacity and support the leadership team.
Sources say changes are unrelated to Todd Boehly and Mark Walter selling their stakes in Chelsea for £475m each last month.
Gossip: Bournemouth will not sell Scott in Januarypublished at 08:03 BST 7 October
08:03 BST 7 October
Bournemouth have no intention of selling England midfielder Alex Scott, 23, in January despite interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid. (Talksport), external
Rival clubs want range of punishments for Man Citypublished at 07:09 BST 7 October
07:09 BST 7 October
Image source, Getty Images
A number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be hit with both "retrospective punishments" and sanctions for the future for their mass financial rule-breaking, sources have told BBC Sport.
An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
City have appealed against the verdict, while the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is poised to look at the findings to see if there may be any suggestions of potential misconduct.
However, there is said to be a consensus among a group of top-flight club executives that if City's appeal is unsuccessful, the sanctions should make reparations for the period when they broke the rules, while also limiting their powers in future.
There is also a feeling from at least four Premier League boardrooms that a "one-hit" points deduction resulting in relegation to the Championship would be an insufficient punishment given the severity of City's wrongdoing.
Chelsea begin talks with council about training ground improvementspublished at 17:20 BST 6 October
17:20 BST 6 October
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have held pre-application talks with Elmbridge Borough Council about upgrades to their training ground.
It is the first known time the Blues have taken their plans to external stakeholders, having long considered improvements aimed at bringing the facilities up to a world-class standard.
The club's base in Cobham was considered state of the art when it was built under former owner Roman Abramovich in 2004. Although it remains a high-quality facility, it has since been surpassed by many of Chelsea's elite rivals in England and abroad.
Following the 2022 takeover, the Boehly-Clearlake consortium quickly identified the need for investment int training facilities for all men's, women's and academy teams.
Former academy director Neil Bath was subsequently put in charge of the project. However, he left in July 2024 after helping secure a plot of land opposite the entrance to the training ground, expanding the club's development options beyond its existing 40-acre site.
The talks with the council are non-binding and remain at an exploratory phase, but would normally precede a formal planning application.
Such discussions are designed to reduce the risk of an application being rejected by identifying areas that may attract support or opposition, whether from local residents, environmental concerns or other planning considerations.
There have already been improvements ongoing to security, fencing and cosmetic features.
As well as improve the training ground, Chelsea want a long-term solution for their stadium.
The two options understood to remain under consideration are the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, which would require Chelsea to play at a temporary home, potentially Wembley Stadium, during construction, or a move to a site at Earls Court.
The Earls Court option would involve Chelsea seeking to become part of the wider redevelopment of the west London site, which was formerly home to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
Lavia 'delighted' at 'rebirth' after injurypublished at 16:29 BST 6 October
16:29 BST 6 October
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia believes he has not felt as good as he does currently for "a very long time".
The 22-year-old has been plauged with injury issues since his £53m from Southampton in the summer of 2023, missing 122 games for club and country in that period, and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes in a competitive match for the Blues.
However, it seems the midfielder is putting those problems behind him and has started four of Xabi Alonso's first five games in charge this season.
He will also report back for Chelsea duty before Saturday's home game against Bournemouth having appeared in each of of Belgium's four games over the extended international break.
He started both Nations League games against France, playing 85 and 87 minutes respectively, and came off the bench against Italy and Turkey.
Speaking after Mondays 4-1 defeat by France, in which he provided a fine assist for Dodi Lukebakio's opener, Lavia said: "It's been a very long time since I've felt this good, physically and mentally.
"I'm delighted. There's a lot of hard work behind it. It's a rebirth."
'I needed to be taken out of my comfort zone' - How Rogers' value fell then rosepublished at 12:13 BST 5 October
12:13 BST 5 October
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Three years before becoming Chelsea's £117m club-record signing, Morgan Rogers watched his value fall to just £1m and questioned whether he would make it at all.
For Rogers, the transition from academy football to the men's game was not as seamless as he had hoped and, in his own words, it took a series of "difficult loans" for him to break through.
In a recent interview with Chelsea's club channel, Rogers said that period taught him how to "take knocks".
Asked what his rise through the EFL had taught him, he replied: "Everything."
After a long pause, he added: "I needed that next challenge, to be taken out of my comfort zone and find the player I was going to be in professional football.
"I don't think there's such a thing as a bad loan," Rogers' first loan manager at Lincoln City, Michael Appleton, told BBC Sport.
Appleton had worked in West Brom's academy and knew Rogers was one of the most highly rated prospects there. He made it his mission to bring him to Sincil Bank in League One.
He remembers Rogers having a big personality and speaking up in team meetings despite arriving as an 18-year-old. The forward went on to score six goals and provide two assists in 28 appearances after joining shortly after lockdown.
"We played Portsmouth away and they had three or four absolute units in the team," he added. "We were setting up for set-pieces and almost running out of players to pick up these giants.
"Without any hesitation whatsoever, Morgan said: 'Make me a marker. I'll head the ball out of our box.'
Experienced signings will help captain James - Azpilicuetapublished at 08:26 BST 5 October
08:26 BST 5 October
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Reece James broke through at Chelsea when Azpilicueta was club captain
Cesar Azpilicueta has backed Chelsea's decision to sign experienced players this summer and believes it will help captain Reece James grow as a leader.
The Blues made their first signings aged over 30 in more than four years when they brought in Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Emiliano Martinez from Premier League rivals Brentford, Brighton and Aston Villa respectively.
James, who succeeded Azpilicueta as captain in 2023, was handed the role at the age of 23 and admitted he initially struggled with the responsibility during an injury-hit period. Former manager Enzo Maresca also publicly challenged him to improve his leadership.
However, both internally and externally, there is a belief that James has grown into the role after avoiding any lengthy injury absences over the past year.
Asked about James' progress as captain, Azpilicueta told BBC Sport: "Reece is still developing.
"People sometimes forget how young he still is because we've known him since he came through the academy. I wasn't captain myself until I was around 28 or 29.
"Since he got into the first team, you could see he was a special player. The quality was obvious. Now he's developing the leadership side as well.
"When I look at him, I see a player who is still improving and who probably has his best years ahead of him.
"A lot of young players have arrived at the club, but there are also experienced players around him who can help him in the role, and I'm sure he'll benefit from that support."
Azpilicueta added that after joining Chelsea he was pushed "to the maximum" and "gave everything" for the club.
He has since retired and graduated from the PFA Business School with a Diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship in September 2026.
The former Spain international added: "I follow every game and I hope the club comes back to where it belongs.
"I have confidence that Xabi (Alonso), the staff and the players will do good work. Hopefully they can bring a lot of happiness to the fans."
Having not returned to Stamford Bridge since leaving Chelsea for Atletico Madrid and later Sevilla, he was asked whether he would ever come back to receive a hero's welcome from supporters.
"I don't know about that," he replied modestly, before adding: "I will come back one day. I won't be putting my boots on, though."
Gossip: Chelsea in pole position to sign Scottpublished at 07:59 BST 5 October
07:59 BST 5 October
Real Madrid are considering joining the race to sign Alex Scott after watching the Bournemouth and England midfielder, 23, closely in recent weeks. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool and Chelsea have joined the race to sign Nottingham Forest'sBrazilian defender Murillo but the 24-year-old will not be allowed to leave the City Ground in January. (Football Insider), external
The data behind Chelsea's startpublished at 16:11 BST 2 October
16:11 BST 2 October
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea have started games strongly under Xabi Alonso, scoring five league goals without reply in the opening 15 minutes of fixtures.
That should have been the perfect platform to dictate the tempo of matches, but instead they have been drawn into open, end-to-end contests, shipping a league-high 12 goals and conceding at least twice in every game.
The Blues have also faced more shots on target than any other side and rank among the league's worst for big chances allowed and errors leading directly to goals.
Those shortcomings are being ruthlessly punished. Despite the recruitment of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who has started the past four league games, the west Londoners have conceded three goals more than their expected goals against figure would suggest, the largest negative difference in the top flight.
Chelsea have not kept a Premier League clean sheet since January - a run of 21 matches - so defensive issues clearly predate Alonso's arrival this summer.
But while the Spaniard has quickly unlocked the attacking potential of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, he must find a way to give his side better balance.
Gossip: Real Madrid keen on Chelsea summer target Quansahpublished at 07:34 BST 2 October
07:34 BST 2 October
Real Madrid are showing an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's 23-year-old England defender Jarell Quansah, who was the subject of a summer enquiry from Chelsea and a bid from Arsenal. (Bild - in German), external
