Just one normal day of Chelsea, that's all we ask. When it's not 4-1 wins, VAR controversy, 4-4 draws, VAR debate, injuries or transfers the Blues still manage to find ways to astound.
This international break has been full of chat around the club, mainly negative, despite the recent turn of form that has seen Mauricio Pochettino's men become one of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch.
It is, however, unavoidable conversation now to address the points deduction at Everton and why this impacts Chelsea. We have busted a few myths on that one as well as looking at why there is still some future room to be fearful.
Elsewhere, and in good news, Christopher Nkunku has taken yet another step towards his first Chelsea appearance after beating Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in a social media challenge. There was also a host of stars in action on duty for their country last night including Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke.
We'll have all of this and a nice update from Pochettino's weekend off, right here!
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Pochettino decision
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will be tasked with keeping his players and staff focused on the matter surrounding their upcoming matches as discussion off the pitch continues to rumble on concerning potential point deductions. It comes following Premier League rivals Everton receiving a deduction of their own.
Points deduction claim
Former Arsenal chairman David Dein has claimed that Everton's recent point deduction is a "disaster" to other clubs amid a host of Financial Fair Play concerns. The Toffees were the second team this year to be sent to an independent commission regarding potential breach of rules.
Werner return
Former Chelsea transfer flop Timo Werner could be set for a reunion with the Blues in the near future following on from an announcement by RB Leipzig. The German international had impressed during his first stint with the Bundesliga outfit, scoring on a consistent basis.
Nkunku return
Chelsea have started to plan for the return of Christopher Nkunku from injury so the star can finally make his debut and an impact on the campaign. The Blues had planned to sign the Frenchman for a long time, eventually confirming earlier this year that he would join in the summer window.
Newcastle injury update
Chelsea will return to Premier League football with a difficult trip to Newcastle United next Saturday. The Blues will come into the contest full of confidence after beating Tottenham and holding Manchester City in their last two games. However, Newcastle could be missing as many as 14 players for the clash.
Reece James' 'dad'-like Chelsea teammate who helps with captaincy problems
Reece James has opened up on his experience thus far as Chelsea captain. The 23-year-old was given the armband in the summer following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta, but the start of his season has been riddled with injury problems.
After suffering an injury a few days after Chelsea's draw with Liverpool in the opening game of the season, James was consequently sidelined for over two months. The England international, though, made his comeback in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal towards the end of last month and has looked in fine form since coming back.
"The captaincy has been great, but it was difficult when I wasn’t fit because it is hard to affect things as much when I’m not with the group all the time," James said to Chelsea's official website. "Thiago [Silva] probably helps me the most whenever I’m unsure, or I feel like I need advice on something. He is nearly old enough to be my dad! So he is the person I go to.
Latest Newcastle injury news as 14 set to miss Chelsea
Chelsea will return to Premier League football with a difficult trip to Newcastle United next Saturday. The Blues will come into the contest full of confidence after beating Tottenham and holding Manchester City in their last two games.
Mauricio Pochettino has a number of injury headaches ahead of the festive period with Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah all sidelined. There is hope that Nkunku will return to make his competitive debut after the international break, though it's expected that his workload will be managed.
The Blues aren't the only team to have been suffering with injuries. After Erling Haaland became the latest casualty while away with Norway, there are now 100 Premier League players out injured.
Reece James provides major Chelsea injury update ahead of Newcastle
Chelsea star Reece James has provided a new fitness update as he looks to continue his strong form since returning from a hamstring issue a few weeks ago.
The 23-year-old suffered yet another setback after being subbed off against Liverpool in the opening weekend of the season and wouldn't feature again until a cameo appearance in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Since then, he's started the last three straight games, including both the 4-1 win over Tottenham and the 4-4 draw against Manchester City.
James even provided the assist for Raheem Sterling's go-ahead goal against City, his first of the season. Recently, he also turned down the opportunity to play for England manager Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for their international break matches against Malta and North Macedonia due to wanting to focus on his fitness for Chelsea first.
Gareth Southgate slammed over Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish issue
Former Premier League manager Graeme Souness has claimed that Chelsea star Raheem Sterling is 'more dangerous' than England teammate Jack Grealish after he was snubbed by England manager Gareth Southgate for the fifth successive time.
The Blues forward was once again left out of the Three Lions squad despite being one of Chelsea's top-performing stars over the start of the season. It means the star will have to stay at Cobham with manager Mauricio Pochettino once again in order to keep his fitness up over the international break, where England have gotten off to a good start by beating Malta 2-0.
They still need to face North Macedonia, with Cole Palmer already having made his senior debut after he replaced Marcus Rashford with 30 minutes left against Malta. But for Sterling, it's a difficult pill to swallow given that the stars keeping him out of the squad have hardly shown their quality.
Chelsea star makes 'open' transfer admission
Chelsea star Ian Maatsen looks to have doubled down on an exit from Stamford Bridge after limited game time under Mauricio Pochettino this season.
The left-back has appeared in just seven Premier League matches but he's been limited to cameo minutes so far this season. Despite starting against AFC Wimbledon and Brighton in the Carabao Cup, the youngster is not satisfied with his playing time since returning to the Blues.
The 23-year-old spent a season-long loan at Burnley last season under Vincent Kompany, but declined to return there in the summer, despite Chelsea being open to selling the defender. At the time, the star cited that he wanted to fight for his place under Pochettino, but that appears to have changed in recent weeks.
Chelsea legend John Terry tells Mauricio Pochettino three key stars to rely upon
Former Chelsea captain and club legend John Terry has named three players that Mauricio Pochettino must rely upon as his side look to climb the Premier League table.
The Blues suffered a rocky start to the season where they've been hampered with injuries and poor results - losses to Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and West Ham meant much of the early period of the campaign has been spent languishing in the bottom half of the table.
However, the side has seen somewhat of a resurgence since the start of September - a Carabao Cup win over Brighton has appeared to catapult Pochettino's men into action-mode. Since then, they've lost just one of their last eight and have taken five points from a possible nine against three of the top four teams in the league.
Benoit Badiashile loan exit
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are not considering the sale of Badiashile and the Frenchman is still part of the club’s plans despite reports .
The Italian journalist has said that Trevoh Chalobah could still leave Stamford Bridge, it appears that one central defender that Chelsea will definitely be keeping hold of in January is Badiashile.
Chelsea set for more business with Brighton
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are big admirers of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson as they're expected to look for another striker in the January transfer market.
Despite the 19-year-old signing a new six-year contract, there are still believed to be links between the player, with the star having managed five goals in 14 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
Chelsea, Tottenham in race for Nusa
Both Chelsea and Tottenham reportedly hold an ongoing interest in Fulham target Antonio Nusa according to Football Insider.
The teenage attacker has been impressing for Club Brugge in Belgium so far this season, having contributed with two goals and three assists in his 16 appearances across all competitions. Nusa only signed a contract extension running until June 2027 earlier this year.
It is believed Club Brugge don’t want to lose the attacking sensation in January, with the star having only signed a contract extension running until June 2027 earlier this year, with the fee for the 18-year-old reported to be around £30m.
Chelsea 'won't rush for striker' in January
According to transfer expert Dean Jones, Chelsea won't be rushing into the January tarsnfer market for a striker as soon as the window opens.
The Blues are said to have place a lot of faith in youngsters Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja, the former of which has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge since his arrival. With Christopher Nkunku also set to showcase his skills when he returns from an injury, he's also one to watch for the future.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: "I think that Chelsea sources have always made it clear that they're not going to rush on a striker and that means it could be January, but if not, it will be the summer.
"This is partly down to a faith in Jackson and Armando Broja, it's partly down to the fact that they've not seen yet the impact of Christopher Nkunku.
"He's likely to add goals and if he can get into double figures, and Jackson is on course to get into double figures, then maybe Chelsea can wait until 2024 to see how their current squad develops."
Chelsea linked with Harry Kane swoop
Chelsea could've gone after former Tottenham striker Harry Kane before he landed with Bundelsiga champions Bayern Munich according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The England captain has been on fire since his move in August, having already scored 17 goals in his first 11 games for the German outfit.
"There is no doubt Harry Kane would have also been on the list if he hadn’t moved to Bayern," Jacobs said earlier this week.
"That’s the type of profile Chelsea want: not just someone with good numbers and potential, but a world-class finisher right now. They are few and far between, so it’s not an easy task."
Pochettino and Silva movements
Chelsea could, somehow, close the gap to Newcastle to just one point if they were to win at St James' Park on Saturday, the next time they play. After a disappointing start to life in charge Mauricio Pochettino's men are finally starting to hit their stride, or so it seems.
Since returning from the September international break their form has been much stronger and the current run stands at five wins and two draws in the last eight games. It has not so much propelled them up the table but cemented in the minds of many just why they are still to be feared this season.
Heading into a week where they would face both the top two sides at the time the Blues started with a loss to Brentford - cementing in the minds of many just why they would be a laughing stock again this season - but followed that up with four points and eight goals against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Read the full story, here.
Nkunku update
Christopher Nkunku has been finding new ways to keep himself busy during the international break as he prepares to make a long-awaited Chelsea debut in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old has celebrated his birthday since the Blues drew 4-4 against Manchester City last weekend and is targeting a competitive debut before the new year.
"We had some conversation and he said to me I want to be ready for after the international break, Newcastle," Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of that game. "I asked him yesterday [about a return] and he said 'hmmm,'" he continued. "And I said you are liar!"
Chelsea take on Newcastle in their first game back, travelling to St James' Park on November 25 but this is still likely to be too soon for the Frenchman with Eddie Howe's side visiting Stamford Bridge in late December for a Carabao Cup tie as well. Either way it has been a frustrating start to life for him.
Read the full story, here.
A word on FFP
football.london writer Tom Coley says: "The shock of a Premier League club being docked points has taken the football world by storm. Everton, who were earlier this year charged with one count of breaching profit and sustainability rules, have gone from 14th and moderately safe after 12 games to sitting second bottom, only above Burnley on goal difference.
"Given that this decision from the league, as announced on Friday, November 17, is the first of its kind in league history, it has opened up a can of worms to deal with. The obvious comparison now being made is with Manchester City.
"Where Chelsea come into this is that right now they actually simply don't. Despite the noise around the club in the past week, a poorly timed, as it were, report of further allegations was made by the Guardian referring to misdeeds under Roman Abramovich's tenure."
Read the full story, here.
Good morning!
There's no such thing as a quiet day at Chelsea is there? Not even the international break can bring us that.
Here's a quick Saturday catch-up:
- Pochettino posts from Spain as he enjoys a weekend away
- Premier League punishment fear mongering continues with 30 point deduction threat
- football.london tackles relegation and Manchester City sanction debate
- Nkunku beats Konate in online challenge
- International round-up with Disasi unused, Jackson coming off the bench and Madueke winning
We'll have reaction to this and much more throughout the day.
