Chelsea

Chelsea have signed centre-back Benoit Badiashile from Monaco on a seven-and-a-half year deal, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

"I can't wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world." [France](/football/team?id=478), having risen through the national team's youth ranks. We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead." [Antonio Rudiger](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/169438/Antonio-Rüdiger) and [Andreas Christensen](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/186430/Andreas-Christensen) on free transfers in the summer. [Wesley Fofana](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/270190/Wesley-Fofana) and [Kalidou Koulibaly](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/150312/Kalidou-Koulibaly) from [Leicester City](/football/team?id=375) and [Napoli](/football/team?id=114) respectively to cover for those exits, while full-back [Marc Cucurella](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/259910/Marc-Cucurella), signed from [Brighton](/football/team/_/id/331/brighton-hove-albion), can also play in that position. [Chelsea](/football/team?id=363) have signed centre-back [Benoit Badiashile](http://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/282585/Benoit-Badiashile) from [Monaco](/football/team/_/id/174/as-monaco) on a seven-and-a-half year deal, the Premier League club [announced on Thursday](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-sign-badiashile).

Man City will cut the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just five points with victory over Chelsea.

He slips the ball over to Hall who touches the ball into the box then smokes his effort wide! The reigning champions cut the gap on league leaders Arsenal to five points after Riyad Mahrez tapped home Jack Grealish’s cross. FT Chelsea 0-1 Man City Chelsea 0-1 Man City If we perform like we did today I am sure we will have a fighting chance come the end of the season.” A few big moments with blocks and things we’ve done in defending in training and it came off today. How we especially played in the second half was brilliant. An argument can be made here how it’s inevitable that this grand Abu Dhabi project will start to overtake everyone when you can bring on £160m worth of talent in two subs - especially against an Arsenal who already look like they will have to push themselves to the limit. A quarter of an hour later, [Jack Grealish](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/jack-grealish) and [Riyad Mahrez](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/riyad-mahrez) were brought on, and the two combined to make it 1-0 and cut the gap to [Arsenal](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/arsenal) back to just five points. These are also the sort of hard-fought and hard-thought wins that change mentalities and change the moods of title races. [Kyle Walker](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/kyle-walker) and [Joao Cancelo](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/joao-cancelo) - of all players - were first hauled off. If that seems premature, or overstated, this is when the champions’ runs have generally started.

Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge as they look to push themselves up the Premier League table. Graham Potter's side are 10 points off the ...

The two sides will actually face each other twice this week, in the league tonight and FA Cup on Sunday, January 8 Other than that, City have a fully-fit squad. Chelsea v Man City will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 6.30pm. The game kicks off at 8pm on Thursday, January 5 at Stamford Bridge in London. City have won the last two meetings in the top flight, with a pair of 1-0 wins over the Blues. Graham Potter's side are 10 points off the Champions League places and have won only once in their last five games.

Chelsea Kepa; Azpilicueta (c), Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Cucurella; Kovacic, Zakaria; Ziyech, Pulisic, Sterling; Havertz · Subs Bettinelli, Hall, Chalobah, ...

[Cesar Azpilicueta](/en/teams/profile/cesar-azpilicueta), [Kalidou Koulibaly](/en/teams/profile/kalidou-koulibaly), [Thiago Silva](/en/teams/profile/thiago-silva) and [Marc Cucurella](/en/teams/profile/marc-cucurella) in front of [Kepa Arrizabalaga](/en/teams/profile/kepa-arrizabalaga). [Denis Zakaria](/en/teams/profile/denis-zakaria) in midfield, with Ziyech joining [Christian Pulisic](/en/teams/profile/christian-pulisic) and [Raheem Sterling](/en/teams/profile/raheem-sterling) in support of [Kai Havertz](/en/teams/profile/kai-havertz) in attack. [Mateo Kovacic](/en/teams/profile/mateo-kovacic) and [Hakim Ziyech](/en/teams/profile/hakim-ziyech) are the returning duo in place of [Jorginho](/en/teams/profile/jorginho) and [Mason Mount](/en/teams/profile/mason-mount), with the latter missing out on the matchday squad.

Pep Guardiola has made four changes to his starting line-up for tonight's Barclays Premier League clash at Chelsea.

Only two players have scored more than one goal in their first two away Premier League appearances in London – Mark Robins in 1992 (for Norwich vs Arsenal and Chelsea) and Michu in 2012 (for Swansea vs QPR and Arsenal). [Kyle Walker](https://www.mancity.com/players/kyle-walker), Joao Cancelo and Phil [Foden](https://www.mancity.com/players/phil-foden) all come in for their first starts since the World Cup while Ilkay [Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) is recalled and captains the side. City have only lost one of their last 25 away Premier League matches (W18 D6), losing 1-0 to Liverpool in October. City have won their first Premier League game in each of the last 10 calendar years, since a 1-0 loss at Sunderland in 2012. [Erling Haaland](https://www.mancity.com/players/erling-haaland) has seven goals in his six away Premier League appearances for City, netting twice in London in August against West Ham. Raheem Sterling scored 91 goals in 225 Premier League appearances for City between 2015 and 2022. [Pep Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola) has suffered eight defeats against Chelsea as a manager in all competitions, his joint-most against an opponent (also eight vs Liverpool). [Stones](https://www.mancity.com/players/john-stones) and Nathan [Ake](https://www.mancity.com/players/nathan-ake). [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), [Palmer](https://www.mancity.com/players/cole-palmer), Lewis [Ederson](https://www.mancity.com/players/ederson), Walker, [Stones](https://www.mancity.com/players/john-stones), [Ake](https://www.mancity.com/players/nathan-ake), Cancelo, [Rodrigo](https://www.mancity.com/players/rodrigo), [Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) (c), [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne), [Bernardo](https://www.mancity.com/players/bernardo-silva), [Foden](https://www.mancity.com/players/phil-foden), Haaland [Kyle Walker](https://www.mancity.com/players/kyle-walker) returns for his first Premier League since the Manchester Derby on October 2 and [Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola) is delighted to have him back. [Foden](https://www.mancity.com/players/phil-foden) on the left and [Erling Haaland](https://www.mancity.com/players/erling-haaland) at centre-forward trying to add to his incredible start.

Chelsea have been accused by Benfica's manager, Roger Schmidt, of 'disrespectful' behaviour in their pursuit of Enzo Fernández.

Benfica would like to keep the 21-year-old until the summer and Chelsea maintain they do not want to overpay and will walk away if a deal cannot be agreed. They try to get the player on their side and they know that they only can get this player when they pay the clause. What the club is doing who want to buy Enzo is disrespectful against all of us – against Benfica – and I cannot accept what they are doing. He is the third centre-half bought since the end of last season, after Kalidou Koulibaly and the injured Wesley Fofana. The reality for Chelsea is that the player would select Arsenal if presented with a choice between the London rivals. The club’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are keen to improve Graham Potter’s squad after a disappointing run of form.

Man City · 31. de Moraes Ederson · 2. Kyle Walker · 5. John Stones · 6. Nathan Ake · 7. Cavaco Joao Cancelo · 17. Kevin De Bruyne · 16. Rodrigo Hernandez Rodri · 8.

He takes a touch and smashes a shot wide of the near post. Bernardo Silva beats Cucurella thrillingly on the right, not once but twice before pushing the ball back to De Bruyne on the edge of the area. Ederson comes miles out of his goal, doesn’t get the ball and is very relieved to see Akanji get to it before Havertz. [Chelsea](https://www.theguardian.com/football/chelsea) – and Arsenal. He might have pushed the ball out to an onrushing forward, Beast maybe, but that’s better than letting it roll behind you when somebody has an open goal. They’ve been fantastic in the second half. Kyle Walker got one point tonight, and I had Mitoma on the bench an’ all. “Meanwhile Cancelo, Walker and Foden all fighting over the magic sponge to valet his motor.” 85 min Chelsea have been much better in the last 20 minutes. The impressive Chukwuemeka ran half the length of the field before easing the ball outside to Hall on the left side of the area. City move to within five points of Arsenal after a hard-fought victory at Stamford Bridge. In previous years we’ve gone on big winning runs and we’ve got to keep the momentum going.

The 21-year-old has moved to Stamford Bridge for a reported £35million fee, having made over 100 appearances in Ligue 1 for the Principality side.

“We’re delighted to welcome Benoit to Chelsea,” chairman Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali told the club’s website. “I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea,” Badiashile told the club’s website. We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”

Manchester City look to close the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to five points as they travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

31 mins: City have really given up on a recognisable formation. Really good from the left-back. 44 mins: Chelsea hit the post! Chukwuemeka unfortunate not to give them the lead. They are closer to the relegation zone than they are to City. [Premier League](/topic/premier-league) to five points as they travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile for a reported £34 million fee.

Chelsea dropped to 10th after a 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest last time out, and supporters will hope that Badiashile is not the only new recruit through the doors this month amid [links to Benfica and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez](https://www.goal.com/en/news/chelsea-desperately-need-a-striker-so-why-focusing-on-enzo-fernandez/bltebe19e42614c5dea). The Frenchman was also targeted due to his age, with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly aiming to forge a squad capable of competing for major trophies across all competitions in the long term. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world."

Perhaps Potter can hack it with a superclub, perhaps he can't, but these would be difficult times at Stamford Bridge for any manager.

These would be difficult times for any manager, no matter past experience: it may be that the issue is not Potter but Chelsea. He was lucky the Chelsea opportunity came a month into this season when Brighton were lying fourth after four wins from their first six games, but that does not devalue his achievements (although it is worth reflecting, for what it says about football’s short-termism as much as anything else, that had Thomas Tuchel been sacked at the end of last season rather than at the beginning of this, Brendan Rodgers would have seemed the obvious candidate). But equally there was a half-hour spell at the beginning of the second half in which City were clearly superior. The problem for any coach when they step up to a big club is that, until they have been successful at that level, the suspicion will always linger that they cannot be successful at that level. Or, given the wealth of the Premier League, you’re looking abroad, in which case there’ll always be a question about adaptation to the English top tier. Or, you’re looking down the Premier League table and then there will always be the question of whether the manager is capable of stepping up.

Gianluca Vialli left his role as a coach with Italy in December, citing his need to undergo treatment for pancreatic cancer; the former Italy and Chelsea ...

He was such a fun-loving guy, full of mischief, he was such a warm individual and a fabulous player." Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness paid tribute to his friend and former Sampdoria team-mate: "I can't tell you how good a guy he was. He was the sort of guy you would really go into battle for - the trophies won proved that." He was so much an icon for players [at Chelsea], most of whom had played with him. Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said in a statement: "This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Current Watford manager Slaven Bilic said, in tribute: "It's a sad day.

The former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli, who had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, has died at the age of 58.

[Italy](https://www.theguardian.com/football/italy) striker Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58. They added: “We will remember you as a boy and a relentless centre-forward, because heroes are all young and beautiful and you, since that summer of 1984, have been our hero. Vialli announced he had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy in November 2018, having been diagnosed with cancer one year earlier. A love that will not die today with you. He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the Azzurri’s 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads. [Italy](https://www.theguardian.com/football/italy) team to focus on his treatment for pancreatic cancer.

"Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled," said Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina. "I hoped until ...

A statement read: "He was loved by everyone at our football club. I tried to replicate his volleys In the park and such a lovely man when I met him. "He was just fabulous to be around. "People will say things about his magnificent football ability, and correctly so, but above all that what a human being. Writing on Twitter, BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said: "Deeply, deeply saddened to hear that Gianluca Vialli has left us. He was just a truly nice human being. He will be deeply missed." Forget football, he was just a gorgeous soul. We will miss you." Vialli spent four seasons with Juve, winning the Champions League, Uefa Cup and Serie A titles. "I hoped until the end that he would be able to perform another miracle. A love that will not die today with you."

Everyone associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Gianluca Vialli, our former player and manager, at the age of just ...

In May 2018, he managed a Chelsea Legends team against Inter Milan at the stadium. A brief spell as Watford manager followed before he turned his hand to punditry, charity work, book writing and, in 2019, a role with the Italy team. Following the shock departure of Gullit in February ‘98, Vialli took the reins at Stamford Bridge a few days before the second leg of a League Cup semi-final at home to Arsenal. We made it all the way to the quarter-finals, drawing two memorable games with AC Milan, going to Galatasaray’s ‘Hell’ and winning 5-0, and then beating Barcelona 3-1 in one of the very best nights the Bridge has witnessed. It brought the curtain down on a campaign in which we had gone as close as we ever did to winning the title between 1955 and 2005. It had been a long time since a Chelsea team and the word consistency had gone together so well. That magical moment was soon commemorated in song, to the tune of That’s Amore, heard up and down the country, and later over Europe: ‘When the ball hits the back of the Old Trafford net, that’s Vialli!’ The love between player and fanbase was very real indeed. For the first of those finals he did not involve himself on the pitch, for the second he did, although it was his fellow star from Serie A, Zola, who scored the only goal seconds after being brought off the bench. Luca Vialli arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 1996, shortly after skippering Juventus to Champions League glory. As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend. He scored what would prove the winner at Old Trafford in November ’96, nutmegging Peter Schmeichel and celebrating in front of the travelling Blues contingent. Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure.

Another defeat means there will be plenty of focus on Graham Potter, but the spotlight will also shine on the newcomers in Chelsea's boardroom, ...

It is a situation that will require patience, a smart transfer strategy and some healthy bodies back on the pitch. The signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton was one of Chelsea's more lavish efforts and could weigh in at more than £60m. All very well but Chelsea need a main striker in the absence of the likes of Broja, not make-do-and-mend stop gaps like Sterling or Kai Havertz. Manchester City baulked at paying that price and stepped away from the deal. Chelsea have won only one of their past eight Premier League games and face Manchester City in the FA Cup at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. [Chelsea home loss to rivals such as Manchester City](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64113785), a defeat that leaves them 10th in the Premier League, ten points off the Champions League places and trailing west London neighbours Fulham and Brentford. No dissent aimed at players or manager after the sort of loss that would have been regarded as a potentially fatal wound in the past. Chelsea, over the past 20 years, have been a team that has won the big trophies." These are tough times for new manager Potter as he attempts to put his stamp on Chelsea after being allowed time and patience to build Brighton. Sutton added: "The question is how much can Todd Boehly tolerate? It's so difficult to see where this is going." New owner Todd Boehly has promised Potter this with a five-year contract but the American will certainly want to be challenging for the top four given his lavish outlay so far.