Enzo Maresca had forecast a flood of relief to arrive at 11pm on Monday night, marking the moment the January transfer window shut. In the end, it came an hour earlier than billed, with the full-time whistle of a hard-won, slightly fortuitous 2-1 victory over West Ham that sends his Chelsea side back into the top-four.

Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell will spend the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace. Already departed in January were Carney Chukwuemeka, Renato Veiga and Cesare Casadei, while winger Mykhailo Mudryk is facing a lengthy ban for a doping violation.

When Reece James landed awkwardly having challenged for the ball in the air in the first half we all expected him to make his well-hobbled path back to the treatment table. Fortunately not, but he’s playing as though he’s not yet returned from his last lay-off.

A pair of pre-match Chelsea press conferences and almost identical questions asked to Enzo Maresca six months apart, as to whether he might feel some sense of relief once the transfer window has closed.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca labelled his team's 2-1 win over West Ham United a huge result as they came from a goal down on Monday to boost their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.

Cole Palmer helped Chelsea back into the top four by forcing an own goal as Graham Potter's Stamford Bridge return ended in a defeat that had positives

The biggest decision is in goal – Filip Jorgensen gets his start, with Robert Sanchez dropped. That’s a huge call from Enzo Maresca. Trevoh Chalobah is also out of the team, with Levi Colwill now partnering Tosin Adarabioyo at the back.