Chelsea not a ‘mess'

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted he was not presiding over a "mess" of a squad after the London club were involved in yet more transfer activity.

Joao Felix signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with his return from Atletico Madrid to the club where he spent an underwhelming spell on loan in the 2022/23 season, helping facilitate Conor Gallagher's move in the opposite direction.

Maresca now has one of the largest squads in the Premier League at his disposal, although he has made it clear Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are not part of his plans.

But speaking ahead of Chelsea's Conference League play-off against Servette, Maresca said criticism of the club's transfer policy had been unfair.

"I am not working with 42 players, I am working with 21 players (in first-team training)," the Italian said.