Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Kyle Walker, Felipe Luis and Said El Mala that you guys may have missed today…
Burnley defender Kyle Walker has revealed he once had the opportunity to join Chelsea before sealing his move to Manchester City, offering fresh insight into a pivotal moment in his career.
The 35-year-old right-back, now playing for Burnley, said the London club were among those interested in signing him during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, prior to his high-profile transfer to City in 2017.
Walker ultimately opted to join Manchester City in a deal worth around £45 million, a move that proved transformative as he went on to win multiple major honours, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Reflecting on his career in recent interviews, Walker indicated that while CHELSEA presented a serious option, the project at City under then-manager Pep Guardiola was decisive in shaping his choice
Walker told The Overlap that he was in discussions with the Blues over a potential move, however decided that because he was coming from Tottenham he couldn’t make the controversial switch across London.
He said: “Yeah, Marina, Yeah, I was speaking to her, but I couldn’t have gone there. I couldn’t have gone there because of the Tottenham-Chelsea thing. So I wouldn’t have gone there. So the only option was Manchester City.”
His comments have reignited discussion over how close Chelsea came to signing a player who would go on to become one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. At the time, CHELSEA were competing at the top of English football, but Walker’s move to City coincided with the beginning of a period of sustained domestic dominance for the Manchester club.
Walker spent eight years at City, making over 300 appearances and playing a central role in one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. His pace, defensive reliability and tactical adaptability made him a key component of Guardiola’s system.
After leaving City in 2025, following a loan spell at AC Milan, Walker joined Burnley on a two-year deal as the newly promoted side sought to add experience to their squad.
The veteran defender has since spoken openly about the various turning points in his career, with his latest remarks shedding light on how different his trajectory might have been had he chosen Stamford Bridge instead of the Etihad.
While it is impossible to know how Walker’s career would have unfolded at CHELSEA, his success at Manchester City suggests he made the right decision. His trophy haul and consistent performances at the highest level have cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s standout full-backs of the modern era.
CHELSEA IN FELIPE LUIS DISCUSSIONS
Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a potential managerial change this summer, with fresh claims suggesting the club is internally discussing whether to replace head coach Liam Rosenior amid mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports cited by icfootballnews, the Blues hierarchy are considering former defender Filipe Luís as a possible successor, with discussions said to be at an early stage ahead of the next transfer window.
Rosenior, who only took charge of CHELSEA in January on a long-term deal, has endured a difficult spell in recent weeks. A heavy Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and inconsistent domestic form have increased scrutiny on the 41-year-old, with the club battling to secure a top-four finish.
Despite the relatively short time in the role, the pressure has intensified quickly, with supporters voicing frustration and results failing to stabilise following his appointment earlier this year.
The emergence of Filipe Luís as a potential candidate is not entirely new. The Brazilian, who enjoyed a brief spell as a player at Chelsea, was previously considered by the club before Rosenior’s appointment and even reached the final stages of the selection process.
Since moving into management, Luís has built a strong reputation during his time with Flamengo, winning major honours including domestic titles and the Copa Libertadores, while earning praise for his tactical approach and win rate.
Chelsea’s prior interest, combined with his rapid rise in South America, has reportedly kept him on the club’s radar as they evaluate long-term options. However, sources indicate no formal approach has been made at this stage, and any decision is likely to depend on how the remainder of the season unfolds.
Rosenior, for his part, remains focused on turning results around and has publicly maintained confidence in his squad despite recent setbacks. Club officials are also understood to be cautious about making another swift managerial change, particularly given their long-term strategy centred on developing young talent.
Still, the speculation highlights the volatility surrounding Chelsea’s current situation, with several names already linked as potential alternatives should the club decide to act.
For now, Rosenior retains the backing of the board, but with the summer approaching and pressure mounting, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether CHELSEA stick with their current project or once again look to the past in search of a new direction.
EL MALA PREMIER LEAGUE BOUND
Brighton & Hove Albion are closing in on the signing of highly rated Said El Mala, with reports in Germany suggesting the 1. FC Köln forward has agreed to join the Premier League side despite interest from Chelsea.
According to reports from Bild, negotiations between Brighton and Köln have accelerated after the player’s representatives — including his family, who act as his advisors — gave the green light for a summer transfer.
The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising young attackers in German football, having scored nine goals and registered four assists in his breakthrough Bundesliga season. His performances have drawn widespread attention across Europe, with multiple clubs monitoring his development.
CHELSEA had been linked with a potential move for El Mala in recent months, alongside other Premier League sides, but Brighton now appear to have moved into pole position to secure his signature. The Seagulls have tracked the player since last summer and are understood to have made several bids, including offers in the region of €30 million that were previously rejected by Köln.
However, Brighton are now prepared to significantly increase their offer, with reports suggesting a deal worth up to €35 million plus add-ons could be agreed. The proposed transfer would represent a major investment in youth by the Premier League club, who have built a reputation for identifying and developing emerging talent.
El Mala is expected to sign a long-term contract if the move is completed, with a five-year deal reportedly on the table. There is also speculation that Brighton could include his older brother Malek in the transfer package as part of negotiations with Köln.
For Köln, the decision to sell may ultimately depend on the financial package offered, as the club had previously resisted approaches during the January transfer window. Club officials have publicly stressed their desire to continue the player’s development, though they acknowledge the realities of the transfer market.
El Mala’s rise has been rapid. Having only made his professional debut in 2024, he has quickly established himself as a key attacking option, combining pace, physicality and technical ability to become one of the Bundesliga’s standout young players.
While CHELSEA’s interest highlighted his growing reputation, Brighton’s persistence now appears to be paying off. If completed, the move would underline the club’s continued commitment to recruiting elite young talent — and could mark another significant step in El Mala’s fast-rising career.
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