‘Special unveiling ceremony at 1.30pm’
Hello from Stamford Bridge, where we are told there will be a ‘special unveiling ceremony’ at 1.30pm. Don’t get too excited. It isn’t Alejandro Garnacho or Xavi Simons. I suspect it may have something to do with the black curtains hanging above the stand which are hiding some ‘world champions’ artwork.
This is a big game for Josh Acheampong. He starts with Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo injured, and we know how important that position is to Enzo Maresca.
‘Ndoye is an excellent player’
Really looking forward to this one. The Forest squad will change a great deal between now and September 2, but will the first-choice starting XI? That will be the hardest circle to square for Nuno Espirito Santo, a manager who likes a tight group of starters, with the rest of the players considered back-up.
Dan Ndoye is an excellent player (watch him now score three own goals) and for Brentford I’m intrigued to get a first glimpse of Antoni Milambo, who’s been really well-regarded across Europe for a number of years, way back before he was starting for Feyenoord (watch him now score four own goals).
Eze’s last hurrah?
Is this the look of a man who is getting prepared to play his last game for Crystal Palace?
It just might be.
It feels like Eze is on his way to north London, with Tottenham closing in on a deal for the talented attacking midfielder.
Fair play to Eze for turning up today despite all the noise around him; Alexander Isak should take some notes.
If it is to be the end, he will want to sign off in style.
Blues arrive at the Bridge
How in the hell are these lads wearing jackets?
Well, Ebzo Fernandez isn’t, but it seems as though all the other Chelsea players are as they arrive at Stamford Bridge.
They must be sweating in this heat, surely? Or maybe the air con on the team bus was just that cold.
Anyway, they are here, and they mean business.
Flashy Parish
Did you know, subtle is Steve Parish’s middle name… not.
The Crystal Palace co-owner has just arrived at Stamford Bridge through the main entrance in a blue Ferrari. He looks happy to be in it, does’ he?
I mean, why wouldn’t he be? It’s a beaut. I’m very jealous.
After the week of negotiating he has had to navigate, I imagine he is going to enjoy some respite during the 90 minutes of footie.
‘Real excitement around Chelsea’
Chris Sutton, former Chelsea striker, on BBC Sport:
There is real excitement about Chelsea at the moment. They have just won the Club World Cup but the Premier League is the one they want and I bet one or two of their fans are thinking they have got half a chance this season.
This game might be a reminder of how hard that is going to be, because Crystal Palace are such a well-balanced and dangerous side under Oliver Glasner.
I still think Chelsea will win though. They have a few options up front now and some versatile attackers too, so they can try to break Palace down in different ways.
Brentford Team News – Kelleher STARTS
A new era begins at Brentford.
New manager, new faces, and a new vibe. Nobody quite knows what to expect from the Bees.
Caoimhin Kelleher makes his competitive debut in net, while Igor Thiago is given the nod up top.
New recruit Antoni Milambo also gets a start.
Nottingham Forest Team News – Nodoye STARTS
There was a point in the summer where it looked like Morgan Gibbs-White would never play for Nottingham Forest again.
But here he is, captaining the team in their opening game.
He is joined by summer signing Dan Ndoye, while recruits Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee are unavailable for now.
Also, notice a new number for Callum Hudson-Odoi?
Crystal Palace Team News – Eze STARTS
Well, well, well.. look at what we have got here.
There had been rumours circulating early yesterday that Eberechi Eze would not be taking part at Stamford Bridge today, with Tottenham sniffing around Crystal Palace’s main man.
But they were squashed last night, and here he is, taking his place in the starting line-up.
As does Marc Guehi, who has also been linked with a move away.
Chelsea Team News – Pedro STARTS
Phoar, what a team that is.
Enzo Maresca has selected his first starting XI of teh season,a nd teh front line is just frightening.
Summer signings Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro make their debuts for teh club, while wonderkid Estevao has to settle for the bench, as does Liam Delap.
Josh Acheampong is preferred in defence with Levi Colwill out with a knee injury, while Wesley Fofana takes a place on the bench.
Maresca: ‘We haven’t done pre-season tests’
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea boss, speaking on Friday:
We haven’t done any fitness tests since we started. We started pre-season last Monday preparing for the Friday game against Leverkusen, like a normal week in a normal season. We didn’t have time to do pre-season tests or this kind of thing.
I have never seen this. Probably it’s much better for the players. But we are working well. We are okay, we are good. The mood of the players is very good, especially with the way we finished last season.
It will be very important to start in the same way as last season, or continue in the same way we finished last season. We had a good run in the end of the season in the Premier League, but no doubt during the season it’s normal to have some moments where you do well for many games in a row, and some games where you struggle.
Welcome back, world champions
Move aside, everybody, the world champions are in the building.
Rival fans must be sick of hearing that by now, but I can guarantee you that Chelsea fans will never tire of hearing it. I know that for a fact because all teh Blues that I know still go on about it.
The last time we saw the Blues in action competitively, they were lifting the Club World Cup in New Jersey with US President Donald Trump attempting to steal the limelight next to them.
Still makes me laugh to this day.
Since then, they had a three-week break and then resumed normal service in a brief pre-season, comfortably winning their two preparation matches. They were very impressive in both.
I have a feeling that Enzo Maresca’s side are going to be right up there this season, battling with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Don’t sleep on the boys from the Bridge.
They will be looking to make an early statement today.
Today’s tasty menu
By Harry Bamforth
Are you hungry?
Well, lucky for you, we have a lovely little menu on offer for all of you today; you can get stuck in.
Obviously, that’s all metaphorical, but honestly, the schedule today is a pretty darn good one.
Here it is:
- Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, 14:00 BST
- Nottingham Forest vs Brentford, 14:00 BST
- Manchester United vs Arsenal, 16:30 BST
What happened yesterday?
By Harry Bamforth
The first Saturday of the Premier League season wasn’t the most mental, I have to say, but it had its moments.
Perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the day delivered the least. The lunchtime kick-off between Aston Villa and Newcastle was an absolute snooze-fest.
I bigged this game up as a ‘belter’ because both Aston Villa and Newcastle usually bang the goals in. Well, we got zero.
Ezri Konsa gave Newcastle some encouragement to get a winner by getting himself sent off, but even that couldn’t make the Magpies clinical.
The 3pm’s were a little better, with the returning Sunderland providing the shock of the day by putting three past Graham Potter’s sorry West Ham.
Meanwhile, Tottenham swept aside Burnley and Fulham netted late on to secure a point away at Brighton.
Then we finished the day at Molineux, and it’s fair to say that Manchester City mean business this season.
Filled with new faces, Pep Guardiola’s Citizens’ squad have brushed off the disappointment from last season and started this one on fire.
Four goals, three points, a clean sheet, and they went top of the table.
Ready for more?
By Harry Bamforth
‘Please, can I have some more?’
We all know where that phrase is from, and I am sure there are plenty of people begging their other halves to continue watching football on the telly this week, looking like Oliver Twist.
Luckily for my girlfriend, it’s my job, so she doesn’t have to put up with it in the living room.
But anyway, we return for our third helping of a blockbuster Premier League weekend. This has the potential to be the best day yet, and I am buzzing for it.
It really is a beautiful Sunday. There are no clouds, it’s a bearable temperature, and we have three footie games in store. The perfect day, in my book.
Our focus is going to be on Stamford Bridge as Chelsea start their campaign against fellow Londoners Crystal Palace, but we will also bring you updates from Nottingham Forest vs Brentford.
Right then, let’s get this show on the road.