Following the traditional ‘slamming shut’ of the transfer window, albeit at the markedly un-traditional time — before a ball has been kicked in anger — attention can now turn to how teams will line up and not to what gaps still need to be filled.

France have won the World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow.

My first World Cup memories go back to 1966 when I would have been 10 and at a stage in my childhood where I was really becoming obsessed with football.

Cork City have suffered defeat at the hands of Legia Warsaw in Turners Cross.

France 0 Denmark 0

Ireland return to the familiar surroundings of the Stade de France this evening, caught between feelings of what might have been and what they hope is to come.

Newcastle 3 Chelsea 0

Huddersfield 1 Chelsea 1

Chelsea 1 West Ham 1: Antonio Conte’s damning and withering verdict of Chelsea’s performance as they threw away two points against West Ham has left even more question marks hanging over his future - with any hope of Champions League football next season now looking forlorn.

Three goals from across that spectrum between ‘sublime’ and ‘ridiculous’ gave Tottenham their first away victory over Chelsea in almost 30 years, and allayed any fears that the Premier League champions might catch their London rivals in the race for continental qualification.

Watford 4 Chelsea 1: Antonio Conte’s future as Chelsea boss was cast into further doubt as his 10 men were thrashed 4-1 by Watford last night.

Olivier Giroud’s presence on the sidelines provided confirmation Antonio Conte had got the new striker he wanted during the January transfer window.

Brighton 0 - Chelsea 4: Chelsea’s 4-0 victory at Brighton at the weekend has quietened the critics who suggested there was a crisis building at Stamford Bridge but it hasn’t ended speculation about their search for a striker after manager Antonio Conte challenged Michy Batshuayi to fill the void – but also left the door open for him to leave.

Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0: The frustration felt by Arsene Wenger as his Arsenal side struggled in the face of intense Chelsea pressure was intensified by the manager being forced to watch from the unfamiliar surroundings of the press box.

There was a sense of Christmases past, present, and future coming into focus as Manchester City played Leicester City in the League Cup this week, says Liam Mackey.

Striker Alvaro Morata is suspended but left wing-back Marcos Alonso is back from a ban when Chelsea play at Everton.

N’Golo Kante would be the coaches’ choice as the world’s best player, says Chelsea boss Antonio Conte— but the Italian admits Eden Hazard is the Chelsea ace most likely to win the Ballon d’Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or for a fifth time to move level with rival Lionel Messi.

Chelsea finished second in Champions League Group C after rallying to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 3 Newcastle 1: Eden Hazard maintaining his fitness and form is clearly key to Chelsea hanging on to the coattails of what passes for a title race this season. Getting him to stay at Chelsea long-term is central to any future success the London side might challenge for.

Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge will be one to forget as Chelsea downed Man United thanks to Alvaro Morata’s header. Here’s what the game taught us

If this season was an episode of Friends it would have be called ‘The one with deja vu’. 

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte says there is no risk attached in playing striker Alvaro Morata against Roma on Wednesday night.

Antonio Conte could never be accused of overhyping Chelsea’s chances of retaining their Premier League title, but the manager’s reaction to Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace only underlined the scale of the task confronting the defending champions.

Atletico Madrid 1 Chelsea 2: Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi proved there is life after Diego Costa as Chelsea fought back to win 2-1 at Atletico Madrid last night.

Costa, whose return to Atletico was completed on Tuesday, watched on as Chelsea responded from David Luiz's needless concession of a penalty scored by Antoine Griezmann.

Chelsea 6 FK Qarabag 0: Chelsea will face tougher tests than this, a stroll in cruise control against Champions League rookies Qarabag, but the Blues are back in the big time and showed how much they want to reprise their 2012 triumph.

Giggs laughed off Keane's claim that he would be worth £2billion in today's exorbitant transfer market.

Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata were on target as Chelsea showed their Premier League pedigree by swatting aside Everton.

Mauricio Pochettino has responded to Danny Rose’s request that Tottenham do not sign players “you have to Google” by referencing his own rise from anonymity to managerial stardom.

France 3 - England 2: Not even the controversial use of video assistant referees could prevent Gareth Southgate’s England from succumbing to defeat in their season-ending friendly against France.

N'Golo Kante may have remained humble as he received the 2017 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award, but Chelsea are confident the midfielder can continue to drive them on to more success.

John Terry scored for a 17th successive Premier League season as champions Chelsea beat Watford 4-3 courtesy of Cesc Fabregas’ late strike.

Martin O’Neill says he recognises his younger self in Antonio Conte.

Diego Costa ended his lean streak with a double as Premier League leaders Chelsea beat Southampton 4-2 to restore their seven-point advantage over Tottenham.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has made a veiled criticism of Manchester United and Manchester City, saying spending money does not guarantee success.

It’s probably a good thing you guys haven’t recently been privy to my fears, my neuroses, and the thoughts that currently haunt my dreams.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists he has “zero problem” with Jose Mourinho.

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli deserved to be on the shortlist for the men’s Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award.

Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 1: Antonio Conte believes his team were title underdogs at the start of the season, damaged by a divisive and explosive year under Jose Mourinho in which they finished 10th and their manager was sacked, but it is pretty clear now that Chelsea will face the Special One at Old Trafford next weekend as champions-elect.

Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has become an easy target for referees, Arsene Wenger believes, insisting the player’s tough-tackling reputation now precedes him.