Welcome to our new series, The Week Ahead, where we bring you the run-down of all the key events surrounding Chelsea Football Club over the next seven days and what you should be keeping an eye on.
Happy Easter Monday all, hope you have all had a great weekend so far, having enough chocolate left to re-watch the goals from a brilliant Sunday. But as we delve into the new week, there is time for some key reflection as Chelsea's final block of games this season has been confirmed.
Sadly there will be little time to reflect on Chelsea's win over Crystal Palace to reach yet another final under Thomas Tuchel as the Blues are thrown straight back into the intensity of Premier League action against two London rivals. Whilst Emma Hayes' side also reached the FA Cup Final on Sunday, comfortably running out 2-0 winners over their WSL title rivals Arsenal at Meadow Park with a London clash of their own at the end of this week.
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But we start today, Monday 18th April with the one-year anniversary of the European Super League. I'm not sure we can call it an anniversary as the actual announcement itself sparked mass fury and fear amongst those who love the game. But it does serve as a telling reminder about the influence of greed from owners, the disconnect between those who own clubs and the communities who support them.
As you will see from the Chelsea side of things on football.london this week, Wednesday will be a more telling date as it will be one year since that historic protest outside Stamford Bridge. The Super League also proves a telling warning ahead of Chelsea's imminent takeover with new owners all being reminded of the backlash in 2021.
It seems to be all London derbies this week as on Tuesday afternoon, the Under-18s side are in Premier League action at home to Spurs at Cobham. Ed Brand's squad are aiming to bounce back from consecutive league defeats to Southampton and Leicester with only five league games of this season to go.
Wednesday night sees Chelsea welcome Mikel Arteta's struggling Arsenal to the Bridge for the long-awaited reverse fixture that was originally meant to take place in February but was moved due to the Club World Cup. Chelsea can not only achieve their first league double over The Gunners since the 2015/16 season but also inflict a fourth-consecutive defeat on Arsenal to further dent their Champions League hopes. The match is live on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Jumping to Saturday morning, the Under-18s face West Ham a day before the senior team does from 11am coverage to be confirmed. On Sunday, the Women return to WSL action away to fifth-placed Spurs at The Hive with a tense title race reaching its conclusion. The game is live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Website.
Whilst across the capital Chelsea aim to get revenge on David Moyes' Hammers for the defeat back in December as Declan Rice potentially gives his last audition before a huge summer transfer chase. The game is again live on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 2pm.
