Chelsea are back in Premier League action after their incredible FIFA Club World Cup win followed by a short preseason.
The new campaign kicks off for Enzo Maresca up against local rivals Crystal Palace who ended last season with a unbeaten run of eight games including success in the FA Cup final.
The Eagles have powered into 2025/26, with a Community Shield win over Liverpool last weekend, yet much of the focus still rests on the future of talisman Eberechi Eze, who remains linked with move to Tottenham.
Spurs want to strengthen their attack after losing James Maddison to a long-term knee injury, and Son Heung-min’s move to LAFC, alongside failing to complete a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White.
The England international previously had a release clause worth £60m [$81m] plus an additional £8m [$10m] in add-ons, but that has expired.
Spurs are believed to be preparing an offer slightly below that total amount, with some reports suggesting the negotiations are moving positively.
Eze’s future remains uncertain, and while he was not initially expected to feature in Palace’s trip to Stamford Bridge, the situation has since changed.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
According to The Times Eze is expected to play in Palace’s season opener following talks with head coach Oliver Glasner over his inclusion.
That situation adds another layer to an already demanding start for both sides.
Chelsea and Crystal Palace meet in a clash packed with storylines
Chelsea begin the season with four consecutive London derbies, that will test both their depth and belief, and Maresca knows the pressure will ramp up if early results fail to match his summer spending
Their preseason was short due to Club World Cup commitments but they found encouragement with wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
Palace come into this game from a different perspective since Oliver Glasner has to prepare for a UEFA Conference League playoff against Fredrikstad while also managing a squad that could lose major players before the window closes.
Captain Marc Guehi has also been linked with a move away, which increases the sense of uncertainty around Selhurst Park, for the final weeks before transfer deadline day on September 1.
Crystal Palace news and related links
