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

Blues interested in Pedraza

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza.

According to Transfer Market Web, Thomas Tuchel is an admirer of the Spaniard and could bring him to Stamford Bridge to further strengthen the Blues’ left-hand side.

‘We could see the German manager regularly rotate his left-backs given the type of opponents they might face,’ the report states. ‘Overall, Pedraza is proven quality and will bring value if signed by Chelsea.’

The 25-year-old’s contract expires in 2025 and the player has a release clause of £35 million. The report also states that Villarreal could cash in on their player after winning the Europa League last season.

Pedraza appeared 44 times for Unai Emery last season, where he became a reliable player for the Spanish boss on his run to another Europa League title.

Pulisic on his chess battles with Kante

Blues winger Christian Pulisic has revealed he has been practising to beat N’Golo Kante in chess during his downtime.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the American opened up on his passion for the board game and how Kante is one of the best in the team.

‘Chess is a recent passion that I rekindled during all the time indoors in lockdown,’ he said. ‘I’d say Kante and I are the top two.’

‘We always have good battles. He was much stronger than me when I started, always the number one but I made it my goal to beat him so I had to work hard.’

Our number 10 believes the board game has also helped him in other aspects of life when he is off the pitch.

‘I used to see him playing Olivier Giroud on the plane and we’d talk about it,’ he added.

‘It’s an incredible game that can help you with a lot of things like problem-solving or seeing different patterns.’

Emery names Blues the best in Europe

Villarreal head coach Unai Emery believes Chelsea are the best club in the world right now after our Champions League win.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of our UEFA Super Cup clash against the Spanish side, the former Arsenal boss also admitted to this Blues side being better than the one he lost to in 2019 in the Europa League final.

‘If they are champions of the Champions League then they are stronger than the Chelsea of 2019,’ he said. ‘We are going to play for a title, and we are going to play against the best team in the world.

‘We are excited about the challenge.’

The Blues will be looking to start our 2021/22 season on a high in Belfast by lifting the UEFA Super Cup trophy before facing Crystal Palace on Saturday.

‘We are going to try and be competitive,’ Emery added. ‘Chelsea have brought in international players.

‘I hope for a great game that gets the attention of the whole world.’