Chelsea return to Champions League action on Wednesday as they welcome Dutch giants Ajax to Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca’s men will be eager to build momentum after a mixed start to their European campaign.

The Blues were beaten 3-1 by Bayern Munich in their opening fixture but responded well with a solid win over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica last month.

Currently sitting 19th in the group stage standings, Chelsea will see this as a must-win clash against an Ajax side yet to register a single point.

The visitors have lost both of their matches so far, leaving Maresca confident that his team can secure back-to-back victories at home and stay alive in the qualification race.

Blues Eye Juventus Striker Dušan Vlahović

Away from the pitch, Chelsea are making headlines in the transfer market. According to TuttoJuve via CaughtOffside, the club are preparing to rival Manchester United in the pursuit of Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović.

The Serbian international is also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, with Spurs currently believed to be leading the chase.

Vlahović, 25, has been a consistent performer for Juventus, netting 62 goals in 154 appearances since his move from Fiorentina in 2022. However, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign, the Italian side may be forced to cash in during the winter or summer window.

Chelsea’s interest comes despite the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, as Maresca looks to add a proven goalscorer capable of leading the line in big matches. Manchester United, meanwhile, are also keen as they search for attacking reinforcements amid Joshua Zirkzee’s slow start to life at Old Trafford.

With Tottenham, Chelsea, and United all monitoring the situation, the race for Vlahović could be one of the major transfer sagas of 2026. For now, though, Chelsea’s focus will remain on securing three crucial points against Ajax under the lights at Stamford Bridge.