These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Cole praises Blues’ defensive resolve

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole feels the Blues can take a lot of heart from the 0-0 draw with Sevilla in our Champions League opener on Tuesday, the Daily Mail reports.

Speaking on BT Sport after the game at Stamford Bridge, Cole praised the defensive resolve shown by the Blues after we had conceded three goals in two of our last three Premier League games.

‘The resoluteness of the team was outstanding. They got it right tonight,’ said the former England international.

‘[Ben] Chilwell was outstanding. If you're going to win games, you have to keep clean sheets. You have to do the ugly things.

'Having the three new defensive signings, it made such a difference. You can see the pride they took in that. The whole team engaged together as a unit. They saw the problem and dealt with it.'

Cole believes Chelsea can continue to make progress after the good defensive performance against the Spanish club.

‘There's been individual errors, they haven't looked aggressive, haven't looked like a team capable of keeping clean sheets, but tonight they were gritty, determined and got good coaching,’ he added.

‘[Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, he added an air of calmness. I'm watching him and he holds the ball well, plays out from the back and makes saves when he needs to make them.

‘Thiago Silva was also outstanding. So I think Frank will be delighted with that and I think it is something to build on.’

Azpi’s half-time talk to Hashtag United

A BBC Sport video has revealed Cesar Azpilicueta gave an unplanned half-time team talk to non-league side Hashtag United during an FA Cup qualifying round match earlier this month.

Azpilicueta is a board member of the Essex Senior Football League side and he was watching the live BBC broadcast of their match against Braintree United after being in action himself in Chelsea’ 4-0 win over Crystal Palace earlier that day.

According to Hashtag United chairman Spencer Owen, the Spaniard made an unplanned call to him as he was talking to the players at half-time and he duly connected him with the team on Facetime.

‘I finished my game against Palace and I was watching it,’ said Azpilicueta.

‘Obviously it was the biggest game in their history and the way the club takes care of everybody is also very important.’

The Chelsea captain revealed how he got involved with the team, which plays in the ninth level of the English football system.

‘I met Spencer and we were working on a couple of events together and I found out about the club,’ he explained.

‘He was surprised that I liked to be involved but it’s football and it’s my passion. So I always follow the team and I’m very happy.’

Azpi’s talk wasn’t quite enough to lift the team to victory on the day as they bowed out of the competition after being beaten by the National League South side in a penalty shoot-out.

Sarri linked with Fiorentina job

Calcio Mercato reports former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is being lined up to become the new manager of Fiorentina if the club decides to make a coaching change after their slow start to the new Serie A season.

The Florence side are 12th in the table after taking only one point from their last three games and while manager Giuseppe Iachini has been given a vote of confidence, the club are reportedly weighing up other options.

The report indicates that if Iachini is removed, Sarri is one of the favourites to replace him, although he will need to terminate his current deal with Juventus.

Sarri joined Juve from Chelsea in 2019 and, despite leading them to the Serie A title last season, he was replaced by Andrea Pirlo in the off-season, but he remains under contract with the club.