Chelsea have made an approach to sign a Premier League star, and it happened right after they lost against his side in the top flight.
Chelsea look to arrest recent slide with Everton win
The west Londoners desperately need to rediscover their winning formula when they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with their title charge now unraveling.
Enzo Maresca's side have endured a torrid spell recently, failing to taste victory in their last four games across all competitions.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reacts
This dismal run has seen them tumble to fifth in the Premier League, now eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal in what appears an increasingly forlorn title pursuit.
Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat against Atalanta was particularly damaging, leaving Chelsea 11th in the European competition's league phase and facing an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification to the last 16.
They also lost 3-1 to Leeds at the start of December and followed that up with a frustrating goalless stalemate at Bournemouth.
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Maresca has attracted criticism for excessive squad rotation, making more changes than any other manager in the Premier League throughout 2025/2026.
More worryingly, no top flight side has squandered more points from winning positions at home this season than Chelsea's eight, and Everton travel to London in a very good mood.
The Toffees have won four out of their last five matches, keeping clean sheets in all of those games, and a first win at Stamford Bridge since the 1990s would allow them to leapfrog Chelsea in the table.
Everton manager David Moyes
Nothing but all three points will do for Maresca and co as they look to end what has been a memorable 2025 on a high.
Away from the pitch, Chelsea are being linked with a host of players ahead of 2026 and the January transfer window, with Sunderland star Noah Sadiki now attracting their interest.
The versatile 20-year-old has been a key player for Regis Le Bris' side as they make a fairytale start to their first season back in the Premier League for eight years.
Noah-Sadiki
Sadiki is a mainstay for this year's surprise package, starting all 15 of their games so far, and he put in an excellent performance at Stamford Bridge back in October.
The Black Cats ran out 2-1 winners over Chelsea in west London, and Sadiki's performance motivated BlueCo to 'immediately' inquire Sunderland over his availability.
That is according to Sky Sports Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri, who also explained via X that Chelsea are now in 'direct contact' to sign Sadiki ahead of January.
The Belgian made over 40 appearances for Union Saint-Gilloise last season and helped them win their first Jupiler Pro League title in 90 years, with Sadiki now taking to England like a duck to water.
Le Bris lavished praise on the young midfielder right after snapping him up from USG, calling him a 'rare' talent, and this is clearly showing now.
“He’s a player who can make a difference for Sunderland," Le Bris said.
“That level of experience at such a young age is rare.
“He can operate as a holding midfielder, as part of a double pivot, or even in slightly different roles. Our team can benefit from having different players with different qualities, and that’s definitely one of his strengths.”
Young, versatile and in fantastic form, Sadiki ticks a lot of boxes for Chelsea, and he could be an excellent alternative to the constantly-injured Roméo Lavia in the middle of the park.