Max Hall

A football journalist who has worked at every step of the pyramid in England and Germany, Max has worked as a correspondent covering Manchester United, Hertha Berlin, Crystal Palace and now Chelsea, as well as his beloved Lye Town and Wales. He has also played, and scored, in the Kiribati second division.

The Euro dream is over for the volleyballers of IBB Polonia London

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg of their last-16 CEV European Challenge Cup tie, Polonia needed to win 3-0 or 3-1

Chelsea target's row with Roma director could signal international defender's departure

Roma manager Luciano Spalletti took the unexpected step of benching the defender, reputedly a target for Antonio Conte's Chelsea, and the much-coveted defender took the decision badly.

Chelsea miss out on Kessie but world-class striker and reserve keeper could be on their way to the Bridge

La Corriere reports Roma's swoop for Blues midfield target is all-but a done deal with Ivorian set to move to the Italian capital on July 1 for around €25 million (£21.4m) plus a player-exchange.

Italian giants the latest club to be linked to Chelsea target

The Gazzetta dello Sport paper says the Giallorossi are preparing to move for Ivorian.

Chinese-owned Inter prepared to spend big to sign three of Chelsea's transfer targets

Inter manager Stefano Pioli yesterday told the Radio Anch'io lo Sport station of the plans of owner Suning Holdings Group to spend big this month and in the summer.

PSG steal a march on Chelsea midfield transfer target

An article on the gazzamercato Italian football transfer website today states the Parisian club has lodged an initial $25 million bid to prise the 20-year-old away from Bergamo.

Chelsea transfer rumour: Roman Abramovich digs heels in over Diego Costa move

Sports newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport said Blues owner has backed Antonio Conte in the dispute with the Brazilian forward, whom it's feared wants a big-money move to Tianjin Quanjian

Chelsea owner Abramovich will have no truck with Costa move, says La Gazetta

Sports newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport said this afternoon the Russian oligarch has backed Italian manager Antonio Conte in the dispute with the Brazilian forward, whom it is feared wants to take up a big-money move to Tianjin Quanjian.

Chelsea have reportedly already lined up a summer replacement for Costa

Today's Gazetta dello Sport reports Brazilian striker Costa has moved to smooth the row with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte that saw him removed from the squad that beat Leicester 3-0 on Saturday but has told his representatives he will reconsider his future in the summer.

Report claims Chelsea fear Costa is agitating for a move to secure £580,000 weekly wage in China

The official line delivered by Blues manager Antonio Conte after yesterday's 3-0 win at Leicester was that the Spanish forward was left out of the squad after being unable to train since reporting a back injury this week.

Several big clubs waiting in the wings if Kessie move to Chelsea falls through

An article in the La Repubblica national newspaper claims a bevy of big clubs are tracking the progress of the Ivorian's talks with Chelsea.

Conte rebuffs approach from Genoa for young Chelsea midfielder

An enquiry for the 22-year-old former England under-21 international was given short shrift because of Conte's desire to hang on to the player.

Chelsea target is linked with Italian giants by agent

Midfielder's representative said: “We consider the Nerazzuri [Inter] and the Bianconeri [Juventus]."

What was Nemanja Matic's six-word summary of Chelsea's toils last season in the wake of an historic 11th straight win?

Matic, back in tandem with the ever-industrious N'Golo Kante, said the Blues' impressive run of results emphasised the importance of not thinking the title is won

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte warns some Premier League title challengers face Champions League qualification pain this year

Although characteristically unwilling to talk up his team's chances of winning the title, Conte said he was surprised at the progress made by the Blues so early into his reign

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte say his side can get even stronger - but he still won't talk about the title

The Italian said the first incarnation of his Chelsea side would have wilted in the face of Tottenham's high-pressing start to the game at Stamford Bridge.

Here's how Chelsea's players rated against Tottenham. Disagree? Add your own verdict below

Chelsea are back on top of the pile after battling back from a goal down in the London derby against Spurs

Chelsea are back on top of the pile after battling back from a goal down in the London derby against Spurs

Although Tottenham's high press hustled the Blues out of their stride for much of the first half, Pedro's equaliser was a peach and the hosts deserved the points Victor Moses' drive secured.

AFC Wimbledon manager Ardley can't quite convince with his Ranieri impression after hard-fought point at The Den

The Dons boss couldn't quite keep the smile off his face as he claimed not to take any notice of the club's league position

Ten-man AFC Wimbledon ground out a point the ugly way that keeps them in touch with the League One play-offs

Ardley's men played out the draw despite the 74th minute dismissal of defender Jon Meades

Out-of-favour Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic sends Antonio Conte a message

Branislav Ivanovic

Ivanovic has been frozen out since Conte switched to a back three following the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in September