Chelsea double transfer confirmed before Brighton as decision made impacting Christopher Nkunku
Enzo Maresca admitted that he enjoyed a quiet midweek without football following the international break. This one has gone just as well.
Although Chelsea were in action, the 5-0 Carabao Cup rout against Barrow did not strain the head coach or his squad, with most of his key players afforded a full rest. It leaves the bulk of Maresca's first-team players fit and ready to go again for the visit of Brighton on Saturday.
The Italian may well need it too because the fixture list takes a serious step up in the weeks to come with Europa League commitments and a likely cup tie with Newcastle to follow. This is what the big squad assembled is meant to deal with though, and now it will be the task to manage it effectively under the glaring eye of fans and those more critical.
Here, football.london has the latest from the club in another so-far positive week for Chelsea.
Double signing confirmed
Chelsea have officially signed young pair Emmanuel Ayinde and Jack Anderson into their academy. Both players have been with the Under-15s already this season but were formally presented at Cobham on Thursday.
Ayinde, who joined from Millwall over the summer, has been involved in all matches so far and is said to have settled in well, according to The Secret Scout. He has performed at left-back but is also able to play centre-back.
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Both teenagers announced their arrivals on social media. Ayinde wrote: "Proud moment for me and my family and blessed to represent the best club in London [blue circle emoji] . All glory to God [cross emoji]".
Anderson, meanwhile, said, "Happy to sign for @chelseafc very proud moment for me and my family and thank you to family and friends for helping me on my journey now onto a new chapter [blue heart emoji]".
Chelsea have also integrated Reggie Watson into the setup at Surrey. He moved from Crystal Palace earlier this year and plays in midfield.
football.london says: New faces in place at the academy but business as usual, it seems, for Chelsea. Without Neil Bath and Jim Fraser, the club continue to hoover up talent from across the country.
It is no surprise that they accept the step either. Although many are ridiculed for going to a team they are highly unlikely to represent at senior level, Chelsea's footballing education and curricular model is exceptional.
What Cobham provides, if not a pathway into the senior team, is state-of-the-art facilities, coaching, and methods. The whole point of academies in the first place is to deliver a career, not necessarily at Chelsea, but in the game. For all the foibles, Chelsea do that better than anyone in the country.
Kellyman decision
Plans are in place for new Chelsea attacker Omari Kellyman to head on loan in January, football.london understands. The teenager arrived from Aston Villa over the summer for £19million but has not played under Maresca due to injury.
Kellyman came in with Ian Maatsen leaving Chelsea to head to the Midlands, joining as one of the most exciting players in Villa's academy. He did make an appearance briefly for the youth team but was sent off shortly after scoring.
In order to help Kellyman develop, Chelsea hope to get him a temporary move in the winter. He is targeting a return to football in November after suffering a setback in his progress towards picking up fitness having come in with a knock.
football.london says: Kellyman has already shown he is going to be too strong for age group football at Villa. Although a period of settling in is needed, it hasn't been the start he was after.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have a promising player in Kellyman and will be invested in seeing him kick on. Mid-season loans are tough though, especially for a youngster without previous senior experience, so making sure he gets the right move will be key.
Given his competition in Maresca's squad includes Christopher Nkunku as an attacker midfielder, as well as Cole Palmer and Joao Felix, it will need to be an impressive spell away no matter what if he is to catch the eye enough to land a role next season at Stamford Bridge.