"I really don't know what to expect from Chelsea" – Chris Sutton predicts result as Bournemouth host Enzo Maresca's Blues
Ex-Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has predicted a 1-1 Premier League draw between the Blues and Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (September 14).
The Blues, who finished sixth under former manager Mauricio Pochettino last term, are currently 11th in the 2024-25 Premier League table with four points from three games. They have registered just one win so far, scoring seven goals and shipping five in the process.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are currently unbeaten in the Premier League this campaign. They are in eighth place with five points so far, finding the back of the net five times and conceding four goals.
In his column for BBC, Sutton claimed that Chelsea could fail to emerge victorious due to the hosts' fine start to the 2024-25 season. He wrote:
"Bournemouth are still unbeaten this season, even if their win at Everton was fortunate... they had a good five minutes, but that was it... which is a bit like the way my career went. I really don't know what to expect from Chelsea though, or if Cole Palmer is going to be fit enough to play. Because of that, I am going to sit on the fence and go for a draw."
Enzo Maresca's side have registered three wins and two draws in their last five meetings against Bournemouth. They last lost to the Cherries in a 1-0 defeat at home in the Premier League in December 2019.
Chelsea star Carney Chukwuemeka not set to depart on loan, reveals Fabrizio Romano
Earlier this week, TEAMtalk claimed that Turkish giants Galatasaray are keen to rope in Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea before Friday.
However, in his latest Daily Briefing column for Caught Offside, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano dismissed the rumours involving the midfielder and Galatasaray. He wrote:
"Despite links, I'm not aware of concrete talks with Galatasaray over Chukwuemeka so far. Chelsea always considered Carney only available on a permanent deal, not on loan... so, the only way would be to change [Blues] management's mind, but this hasn't happened so far."
Chukwuemeka, who will turn 21 next month, is currently deemed to be a fringe option at the west London outfit. He is behind the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in his club's pecking order.
Since arriving from Aston Villa in a potential £20 million deal in 2022, Chukwuemeka has registered two goals and one assist in 27 matches for the Blues.