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

James praises Kepa’s athleticism

Former England goalkeeper David James has told Sky Sports that Kepa Arrizabalaga’s excellent agility makes him a formidable shot-stopper in penalty shootouts and suggested the Spaniard could give Blues boss Thomas Tuchel a selection headache as the season progresses.

James was full of praise for Kepa after he helped the Blues win a penalty shootout for the fourth time in his career on Wednesday with an excellent save to deny Aston Villa’s Marvelous Nakamba in the Carabao Cup.

‘His athleticism was beyond what I was looking at in the Premier League,’ said James, who appeared in 572 Premier League games, the most by a goalkeeper.

‘There are some goalkeepers in the Premier League, the likes of Alisson and Ederson, who are top drawer. Their all-round game – and Mendy now as we’ve seen him come into Chelsea – are so, so good.

‘But Kepa’s athleticism and agility is beyond all these goalkeepers.’

James feels Kepa could create a selection issue for Tuchel if he improves in other areas of his game.

‘What you need to do as a goalkeeping coach is to get (Kepa) to get all the other stuff to a level where, when he’s called upon, he can produce those big saves,’ he continued.

‘Penalties for me is something Kepa should be really good at because he’s got that athleticism.

‘I can see that there is a talent there and hopefully Thomas Tuchel is going to have a headache during the season where he says, “I’ve got two goalkeepers who are both top drawer. How do I manage that situation?”’

Lampard lists best team-mates and opponents

According to The Mirror, Frank Lampard has named John Terry and Didier Drogba as the best players he played alongside and the Barcelona duo of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho the best he played against during his career.

‘I can’t separate them because they had so much impact on us as a team,’ said Lampard of Terry and Drobga.

‘John as a captain...I don’t think he was underrated, but there were elements to his game maybe that were, because he was brilliant at everything.

‘And then Didier, because he always turned up in big games, always in pivotal games. Scored amazing goals, influenced people around him and had everything as a striker.

‘If you drew a striker, you’d draw Didier; six foot, strong, can touch, can shoot, head it.’

As for the best he came up against, Lampard surprisingly omitted Cristiano Ronaldo in favour of the Barca pair.

‘I feel bad with Cristiano, because what Cristiano has done in big games, winning finals and stuff, I think that’s such a tight call,’ he explained,

‘But to play against him [Lionel Messi], I didn’t play Ronaldo at his peak. Played him at Man United when he was getting towards it, but not at Real Madrid, where he was just ridiculous.

“I didn’t really come up against him then, but I feel like I did with Messi and I never got near him and he was just amazing.

‘And the other one is Ronaldinho, because in 2005, we went to the Nou Camp, it was my first encounter with a player on a different planet.

‘Him and [Samuel] Eto’o on that day, but particularly Ronaldinho’s movements. I was like “wow this is different”.’

Gallas tips Blues for title

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas believes the Blues have the quality to regain the Premier League title this season, Metro reports.

Gallas, who played 159 times and won two league titles with the club, is impressed with what he has seen of Thomas Tuchel’s side so far this season and believes we will be a hard team to beat.

‘They are the champions of Europe. They look stronger and stronger. If they are really focused, they can beat any records, especially now they have Lukaku. This is a scary team for any opponent to play,’ said the Frenchman.

‘Manchester United fans may think they have a stronger team with Ronaldo back, but if you take every player position by position then I believe Chelsea is stronger than United.’

Gallas feels the manager has played a big part in the success of the team.

‘I really can’t see any club that can beat them. Tuchel is a perfectionist and he always has a tactical plan,’ he added.

‘Whenever he plays against the league’s best managers, he always finds the solution. Chelsea can win the Premier League, definitely.’