Chelsea

Enzo Maresca enjoyed a triumphant return to Leicester as Chelsea secured a comfortable victory, solidifying their position in third place. The match at the King Power Stadium saw Chelsea dominate, with goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernández. Although the final scoreline suggested a closer contest, Leicester's late consolation came from Jordan Ayew, who scored a penalty after Roméo Lavia fouled Bobby De Cordova-Reid in stoppage time. However, Chelsea's performance was largely unchallenged, allowing them to control the game with ease.

Leicester City is set to face Chelsea in a Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium, and there's excitement in the air as Jamie Vardy returns to the starting lineup after overcoming a back injury. Leicester's manager, Enzo Maresca, has expressed high praise for Vardy, calling him the best striker of his generation. Maresca highlighted Vardy's exceptional abilities, stating, “Vardy is fantastic, and many people don’t fully appreciate how good he is. England has been fortunate to have strikers like Kane and Rooney, but in my opinion, Vardy stands out as the best.” He elaborated on Vardy's versatility, noting, “He can do many things, such as making runs behind the defense and finishing chances. What impresses me most is his willingness to adapt. Last season, he changed his playing style by dropping deeper to link up play, and he continues to seek improvement. Yet, he possesses that rare quality of being a natural goal scorer. Even if he’s been out for a week without training, he can step onto the pitch and find the back of the net.” As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Vardy to see if he can deliver another standout performance.

**Maresca Reflects on Leicester Experience Before Chelsea Clash** Enzo Maresca, the new Chelsea manager, fondly recalls a heartwarming moment from his time at Leicester City, where he built strong relationships with his players. As the season drew to a close last April, Leicester secured their promotion back to the Premier League following Leeds' defeat at QPR. Instead of celebrating elsewhere, his players chose to surprise him by sneaking to his home late at night, tapping on the windows to share in the joy of their achievement. This gesture highlighted the deep bond they had formed throughout the season. Now, as Maresca prepares to lead Chelsea into a match against his former club, he reflects on the emotional connections he established at Leicester. These relationships have shaped his vision for Chelsea, as he aims to foster a similar sense of unity and camaraderie within his new team. Maresca's time at Leicester was not just about football; it was about creating a family-like atmosphere that he hopes to replicate at Chelsea. As he gears up for the upcoming match, the memories of his past experiences continue to resonate with him, serving as a guiding principle in his managerial approach.

**"Fuel and Motivation": Manchester United Aiming for Redemption Against Chelsea** - Unbeaten United set to face a Chelsea team with a perfect record - Marc Skinner claims Chelsea are the top team in Europe The memory of Mayra Ramírez charging through the Old Trafford penalty area to secure a staggering 6-0 victory for Chelsea, which clinched last season’s title, is still fresh for many Manchester United fans. Just six days after United celebrated their first major trophy by lifting the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley, they faced a harsh reality check with a defeat that laid bare their defensive weaknesses and underscored the significant gap between them and the reigning champions. While United finished fifth, Chelsea celebrated their fifth consecutive title. As the two teams prepare to meet again, United is fueled by the desire for revenge and the motivation to prove themselves against the formidable Chelsea side.

Lucy Bronze played a pivotal role in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Celtic, securing their place in the knockout stages of the Women’s Champions League with two matches remaining. The match, held at Stamford Bridge, saw Chelsea, last year's semi-finalists, dominate with first-half goals from Bronze and Wieke Kaptein, followed by a penalty from Ève Périsset in the 95th minute. This win marked Chelsea's impressive 11th consecutive victory. Under the leadership of Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea has enjoyed a remarkable start to the season, remaining unbeaten across all competitions. They entered the match at the top of the Women’s Super League and leading Group B in the Champions League. With Real Madrid's earlier win over Twente, Chelsea only needed a draw to secure their advancement to the quarter-finals.

Chelsea vs. Celtic: Women’s Champions League – Live Updates Welcome to our coverage of the Women’s Champions League, featuring the match between Chelsea and Celtic. The game kicks off at 8pm GMT. Last week, the two teams faced off, with Chelsea securing a 2-1 victory. However, Celtic put up a strong fight and demonstrated their ability to challenge Chelsea effectively. They particularly excelled in counter-attacking situations, a strategy they are likely to employ again tonight. Stay tuned for live updates and insights as the match unfolds!

Henrique Hilário has departed from Chelsea after an 18-year tenure to take on the role of goalkeeping coach for the England national team under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel, who previously collaborated with Hilário during his time at Stamford Bridge, is set to officially start his new position on January 1. The vacancy for the goalkeeping coach arose after Martyn Margetson left following Gareth Southgate's resignation as manager last summer. Tuchel quickly identified Hilário as a key addition to his coaching staff, preferring a streamlined team. Chelsea was hesitant to allow Hilário to split his time between the club and the national team, which ultimately led him to submit his resignation. Chelsea is not expected to seek a replacement for the former Portugal goalkeeper.

Chelsea Football Club has publicly condemned the homophobic abuse directed at striker Sam Kerr following the announcement that she and her partner, West Ham's Kristie Mewis, are expecting a baby. The club's captain, Millie Bright, along with manager Sonia Bompastor, expressed their strong disapproval of the "unacceptable and hateful" messages that emerged after the couple shared photos showcasing Mewis's baby bump. In response to the backlash, Chelsea issued a statement highlighting the need for respect and support, emphasizing that such negativity should not be tolerated. The comments section on Kerr's post had to be disabled due to the offensive remarks. Bompastor described the reactions as "crazy," reinforcing the club's commitment to standing against discrimination and promoting a positive environment for all players.

North London is red and Merseyside is blue – Women’s Football Weekly podcast In the latest episode of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, host Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Jenna Schillaci, and Sophie Downey to discuss the weekend's action in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The panel highlights Chelsea's impressive ascent to the top of the WSL table following a hard-fought victory against Manchester City. They ponder whether this marks the beginning of Chelsea's title challenge. Additionally, the discussion covers the thrilling late moments across the league, including Fran Kirby's decisive goal that secured Brighton's win and Ebony Salmon's impactful performance off the bench, which helped Aston Villa achieve their first victory of the season.

Chelsea Pride has strongly condemned the homophobic abuse directed at striker Sam Kerr following her announcement of expecting a baby with her fiancée, Kristie Mewis. The 31-year-old captain of the Australian national team shared the exciting news on her Instagram account, stating, “Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” In response to the negative comments, Chelsea Pride emphasized their commitment to love and acceptance, declaring, “Hate will never win here. We will always stand for love.” The organization’s statement highlights the importance of supporting players and fostering an inclusive environment within the sport.