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

Blues keeping an eye on Varane

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Raphael Varane’s situation at Real Madrid.

According to Marca, Real Madrid will sell the Frenchman in the summer if he does not renew his contract.

There have been many reports about Chelsea looking to bring in a centre-back in the summer and an experienced player like Varane will be very attractive.

The 27-year-old’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu runs out in 2022. The report states that in order to avoid risking losing him for free, the Spanish giants will be looking for suitors.

Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are alongside the Blues in clubs who are interested in signing Varane. The report also states that Madrid will be setting a price of £50 million for the Frenchman.

Varane has won 19 trophies since moving to Spain. At Real Madrid, he has won four Champions League trophies, four La Liga titles and also was part of the French side that won the World Cup in 2018.

Tuchel couldn't say no to the Blues

Zsolt Low, who joined the Blues as a member of Thomas Tuchel’s backroom staff, has spoken about why the Chelsea job was too attractive to turn down for our new head coach.

He also admitted that the plan was to rest until the summer, but the Blues job was too attractive to not take up.

‘We thought we would rest for at least half a year and spend time with our family,’ he added. ‘Life thought differently.’

‘If it weren’t for Chelsea calling us, we might have preferred to rest. But Chelsea is an exceptional professional challenge, a sensational club with a fantastic set of players.’

Speaking to M1 in Hungary, Low also opened up about the challenge of taking charge of a club in the middle of the season.

‘It would be brilliant to be able to finish in the top four,’ he said. ‘It’s difficult to win against any team, not only to be prepared against sensational players, but the very best coaches are also working in the Premier League.’

Low worked with Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain and played under the manager as a left-back in Mainz.

Van Ginkel reflects on his long absence

Marco Van Ginkel has revealed the mental toughness he needed in his journey of returning from a 983-day injury.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the midfielder talked about how tough the road was in returning from his knee injury from 2018.

‘It was not 100 per cent, for sure. I think it was 50-50 whether my career would survive,’ he revealed.

‘Emotionally and mentally, it was hard, but I am a very positive person. I think everyone who knows me would say that it kept me alive, for sure.’

The Chelsea loanee who is now at PSV Eindhoven recently made his return against AZ Alkmaar. He is looking forward to building on getting his fitness back and returning to the form he was in before his injury.

‘It felt a bit like my debut again,’ he said. ‘We lost the game but I still celebrated it with my family.

‘It felt important because it was a big achievement for me.’

The 28-year-old is now ready to get his career back on track after this time out. He also spoke of the mentality he needed to ensure he returned in top shape.

‘The mindset you need to make it is the same mindset you need to come back,’ he said. ‘It is to get better every day and I did it.

‘I’m just happy to be a footballer again.’