Rather than viewing the decision as a setback, Chelsea's hierarchy are projecting confidence in their current attacking depth and long-term planning. The club believe they are well stocked in wide and attacking positions and are keen to prioritise development over reactive spending. Chelsea have faith in their current attacking options There is a strong internal push to double down on the progression of summer signings Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, both of whom are seen as key pillars of Chelsea's attacking future. In addition, Chelsea have been encouraged by the return to fitness of Estevao Willian, whose injury absence disrupted earlier plans.
Sam Kerr scored the opening two goals for Chelsea, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd got a hat-trick. Wieke Kaptein scored twice, with Sjoeke Nusken and Millie Bright also getting on the score-sheet. Jenna Clark headed home for Liverpool, who have failed to win any of their last four games in all competitions and are rooted to the bottom of the Women's Super League.
According to a report from Africa foot, Chelsea have already made contact with his representatives and advanced negotiations are underway to get the deal done. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can wrap up the move in the coming weeks. They have shown that they are keen on signing the best young players around the world, and they are looking to add to the formidable pool of young talent already at the club.
Manchester City are already laying the groundwork for a possible post-Pep Guardiola era, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the leading candidates under consideration should the Catalan manager step away next summer. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Maresca is highly regarded within City's internal discussions, with contingency planning now quietly underway amid widespread belief that the current season could be Guardiola's last at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca fits that bill having worked under Guardiola either side of a spell as coach of Italian club Parma. And while most observers are impressed with the job he has done at Stamford Bridge, guiding Chelsea to the Club World Cup title over the summer and last season's Conference League title, it seems he feels a lack of appreciation from those within the club.
Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a central midfielder a top transfer priority for 2026, with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo on their radar. As previously reported, Chelsea want to strengthen in midfield as one of their priorities to ease the workload on Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. This has now been confirmed by a report in the Telegraph claiming that the Blues have been looking at both Wharton and Mainoo for that position.
After the pair won the Championship together with Leicester City, Maresca brought Dewsbury-Hall to Stamford Bridge after being appointed as Chelsea boss. Dewsbury-Hall made just 13 appearances in the Premier League for Chelsea, but scored four goals and registered two assists in 15 Conference League appearances on their way to winning the trophy. The 27-year-old also featured in five Club World Cup games, scoring in the last 16 against Benfica before coming on as a substitute in the final as they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.
