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Chelsea’s English midfielder #10 Cole Palmer (L) and Chelsea’s English midfielder #17 Morgan Rogers (R) warm up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on October 17, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, talks to Cole Palmer of England during a training session at the England Men's Senior Team's training base
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Chelsea players huddle before kick off
Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea v Sheffield United - Premier League
Photo by Visionhaus
Portugal v Czechia - UEFA U21 EURO 2027 Qualifier
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Jorge Jesus wasn’t about to let people write off Geovany Quenda just because he can’t get off Chelsea’s bench. He was straight up about the kid’s lack of game time, but pointed right back to that lively Spurs performance to prove he’s the real deal, and strictly the future for Portugal.
He said: “Geovany Quenda hasn’t been starting that many games for Chelsea. He played against Tottenham. I watched that game and thought he had an excellent performance. But he’s a kid, a young player, he’s the future of the national team.”
However, Quenda may miss the Sunderland game due to a missed training session this week due to suffering from a minor muscle injury.
Patience is needed with Geovany Quenda
It’s crazy how quickly people panic over playing time, forgetting that Geovany Quenda is still just 19 years old with ridiculous room to grow.
Most players his age are nowhere near this level, let alone fighting for minutes in the Premier League. His ceiling is massive, and he’s barely scratched the surface of what he can do physically and tactically.
The fact that Portugal called him right up for the upcoming international break proves where he stands.
Regis Le Bris sends defiant message to Chelsea as Sunderland target repeat of last season
Sunderland's French head coach Regis Le Bris talks with Sunderland's Swiss midfielder #34 Granit Xhaka after the UEFA Europa League, League stage football match between Sunderland and GNK Dinamo Zagreb at The Stadium of Light
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea can expect a difficult afternoon against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The Black Cats are in dreadful form, having failed to win a Premier League game since August, but that will only make them more desperate for a result.
Sunderland can take confidence from beating the Blues home and away last season, including a crucial victory on the final day that secured Europa League qualification. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s side have shown vulnerabilities against supposedly weaker opposition at times.
Despite winning just once in the league all season, Regis Le Bris is quietly confident that his players can cause another upset. Chelsea may be a better team than they were last season, but they are far from unbeatable.
READ MORE:Cole Palmer names Chelsea’s most underrated player, ‘Nobody knows how good he is’
How confident are you that Chelsea can get the better of Sunderland? ⚽
DrawSunderland
If Fofana plays against Brobbey, then 3-1 to our Chelsea. If Anselmino somehow plays against Brobbey, 3-0 to our Chelsea. Going to be down to the CBs and the midfield pairing. I hope Lavia starts and plays the whole match.
I think Chelsea's going to win, I just hope that won't come with more injuries and red/ yellow cards
Regis Le Bris backs Sunderland to beat an improved Chelsea side again
The Chelsea Chronicle has already assessed how Sunderland’s encouraging underlying numbers and Trai Hume’s description of this fixture as their “biggest game of the season” suggest the Black Cats should not be overlooked. Now, Regis Le Bris has given Xabi Alonso’s side another reason to be wary ahead of this weekend’s meeting.
Le Bris insisted his team view the Chelsea game as an opportunity to change the narrative before the November international break. A victory would likely lift Sunderland out of the relegation zone, potentially transforming the mood around the club.
“Absolutely. We see it positively and we’ll give the best version of Sunderland to beat Chelsea,” Le Bris said in his press conference on Friday.
“The opponent is strong. They have a good team; good dynamic; good coach. They are in a better place. So, it’s going to be a big challenge, but at the same time, this is what we like.”
One reporter also reminded Le Bris of Sunderland’s two victories over Chelsea during the 2025/26 campaign. The Frenchman responded: “Yeah, we did it with more or less the same squad. So, it’s possible.”
Le Bris is right about the similarities in Sunderland’s squad, with the Black Cats having made relatively few changes during the summer transfer window. That could be one reason behind their struggles this season. However, Alonso now has the likes of Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez at his disposal, which could make a difference for the Blues as they look to avenge last season’s defeats.