Chelsea’s Cobham training base has a little-known back route — a discreet entrance often used by those coming from nearby Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon station, largely because it saves them a lengthy detour to the main gates.
It is the sort of access point familiar only to regulars at the club’s Surrey headquarters: a doorway leading into a leafy passageway before eventually emerging near the first-team building.
Last week, though, Willie Isa was not impressed to see it being used. The New Zealand-born former Samoa rugby league international, now working as Chelsea’s player support and development officer on Xabi Alonso’s staff, appeared concerned when two unfamiliar people walked past what was meant to be a closed training session on Friday.
Access through the Cobham gate is only possible once security have checked and approved a visitor’s identity, so the pair would have had permission to be on site that afternoon. Even so, Isa did not appear to recognise them and seemed uneasy that they may have caught sight of Cole Palmer and his team-mates as Chelsea prepared for their Premier League opener away to Fulham.
From that point, security staff were understood to be directing anyone hoping to use the shortcut to take the 15-minute walk around to the front entrance instead — just as the rain began to fall over Cobham.
Two unidentified people were seen walking past Chelsea’s closed training session at Cobham, prompting concerns over a possible Spygate-style incident
Willie Isa (left), the former rugby league player now serving as Chelsea’s player support and development officer, has told security not to allow access through the gate in question
Blues hire Ronaldo’s set-piece analyst
After bringing in Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, Chelsea have further added to their set-piece department by hiring a new first-team analyst called Andre Reis.
Reis spent the last seven years working with the Portuguese FA, analysing set-pieces for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, throughout their victorious 2024-25 Nations League campaign and at Euro 2024.
Reis’ role was believed to involve on-pitch work as well as from behind his laptop. He built his way up to helping Cristiano Ronaldo and Co after originally acting as an analyst for Portugal’s youth.
Now, he will be helping Chelsea’s new set-piece specialist MacPhee, who joined this summer from Aston Villa and also spent the last year with Portugal.
Alonso said last week that he wants the ‘best possible specialists’ in every department.
Chelsea have brought in Andre Reis, who has been working with Portugal on set-pieces
Revealed: Hudson-Odoi’s agent banned
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s brother, Bradley, who is the former Chelsea and current Nottingham Forest winger’s agent, has been suspended for six months.
Bradley was accused of breaching FA Rule E1.2, and charged with allegedly approaching or representing a minor without first obtaining the additional authorisation; and that he then performed agent services without first entering into a representation agreement.
The FA hit him with a six-month suspension from all activity that falls under the Football Agent Regulations, including but not limited to Football Agent Services. The ban began on Monday this week and it will end on February 24, 2027. He was also fined £500.
Callum, who joined Chelsea as a seven-year-old and went on to make 126 first-team appearances as well as being capped three times by England, signed a new contract with Forest last season which was overseen by his sibling. That deal ties him down to the City Ground until 2028. He was an unused substitute in their opening-day home defeat by Leeds United.
Confidential contacted Bradley for comment and received no reply.
Bradley Hudson-Odoi (right), brother of Callum, came through Fulham’s academy and was a non-League forward for 10 years before retiring in 2019 and becoming an agent
Sources say, Liquidator will stay!
Stamford Bridge sources say they will not be following Wolverhampton Wanderers in binning their traditional pre-match playing of The Liquidator.
After a review, Wolves have confirmed the song will be avoided at Molineux, owing to supporters using its tune to chant offensively about their rivals, West Bromwich Albion.
Some Chelsea fans still use The Liquidator to sing ‘f*** off Tottenham’ at the Bridge, though much of the fanbase have been vocal in saying they do not like how a mention of Spurs invades what should be their song as the players prepare to play.
Chelsea’s first home fixture is against Luton Town on Thursday in the Carabao Cup with Brighton visiting in the Premier League on Sunday.
Enzo’s full-time antics
Chelsea insiders are anticipating an official move from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez before the summer transfer window closes on September 1, but those inside Stamford Bridge are also entitled to believe they hold the power over this situation.
Fernandez is tied down to a long-term deal, and as shown in Chelsea’s Premier League opener away at Fulham, they are happy to keep using him.
They would only sell the Argentine for an enormous sum after spending all summer demanding at least £120million, and they want a replacement lined up. Otherwise, they would be weakening themselves and strengthening a rival.
A video clip on social media appeared to show Fernandez walking away from his Chelsea team-mates and towards the tunnel as they stood in front of the away end following their 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham.
Chelsea insiders are anticipating an official move from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez before the summer transfer window closes on September 1
However, Confidential was at Craven Cottage, and in his defence, Fernandez did stand in front of the visiting supporters with everyone else. We then watched as Fernandez gave his shirt to a fan in the home end – we think they were holding a River Plate away shirt if our eyes were not deceiving us, in homage to the team he joined as a six-year-old and represented for 15 years – before exiting.
The BBC’s Match of the Day title credits this season include Fernandez in his Chelsea shirt, shown briefly in between Xavi Simons for Tottenham Hotspur and Erling Haaland for City.
It is almost as if the Beeb are tempting fate after the Argentine’s noisy ‘will he, won’t he’ summer.
Anything can happen while the summer window remains open and City boss Enzo Maresca made a point of using Marc Guehi in midfield next to Elliot Anderson in their 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth. Anderson left the field injured in the second half.
Neto asking price puts off Saudi bids
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal turned their attention to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli after learning that Chelsea valued Pedro Neto at close to £100million.
The Blues slapped that valuation on Neto after noting the asking prices for other wingers in this window and because they appreciate him highly internally.
However, Al Hilal are now getting closer to an agreement for Martinelli instead worth between £50-55million, with Neto relegated to a back-up option.
Neto got an earful from Chelsea captain Reece James during their 3-2 win at Fulham for not tracking back after he replaced Malo Gusto as a right wing-back.
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal turned their attention to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (right) after learning that Chelsea valued Pedro Neto (left) at close to £100million
Josh steps in and steps up
The Chelsea predicted lineup in Fulham’s matchday programme had Wesley Fofana starting in the visitors’ defence despite being suspended for this clash.
In Fofana’s place, Josh Acheampong impressed, though the 20-year-old academy graduate’s situation remains one to watch between now and the end of the window. As revealed by Daily Mail Sport last week, Chelsea have been considering whether to keep him where he is or sanction a loan.
They have long maintained that they do not want to sell him permanently. But performances like the one he put in at Fulham may only tell a few suitors that he is ready for more regular game time.
