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

World Cup winner keen on Jorginho's Ballon d'Or chances

World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus has pipped Jorginho for the Ballon d’Or, which is due to be announced at the end of November.

Jorginho was one of five Chelsea players put forward for the coveted prize, after winning both the Champions League and the European Championship with Italy this summer.

Matthaus himself won the award in 1990 whilst at Inter Milan.

In a column for Sky Germany, the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder has hailed the Italian’s consistency throughout last season.

‘What Klopp's superstar Salah has been delivering for a few months is of course absolutely world class. It is quite possible that this will help him a lot in his choice of world footballer,’ the story states.

‘But that was not the case for the whole year. In the spring, he and Liverpool had serious problems.

‘Candidate Jorginho from Chelsea was convincing for almost the entire last season and played a key role in winning the Champions League and the European Championship with Italy.’

Chelsea linked with PSG's Icardi

Chelsea are willing to open negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for striker Mauro Icardi, who is open to a January move, according to reports.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away given the signing of Lionel Messi, which adds serious competition to the French club’s forward line.

A report by ESPN, citing journalist Ekrem Monur, suggests that a move for the Argentinian is more likely after falling out of favour for Messi since the six-time Ballon d’Or winner joined the club.

‘According to his sources, Chelsea would plan to open discussions with PSG in the context of a transfer of Mauro Icardi,’ the report states.

Icardi has worked under our German head coach already in his career, in the French capital, and the report claims a reunion could be on the cards.

‘An improbable reunion between Thomas Tuchel, coach of the Blues, and Icardi could therefore take place although the German technician had chosen to no longer regularly rely on Mauro Icardi at the end of his adventure at PSG.’

New rule to affect Blues Premier League games

Premier League bodies are set to allow teams to make five substitutions during a Premier League match, due to a decision by the International FA Board (IFAB).

The Times are reporting that the five substitutes rule, initially brought in amid the coronavirus pandemic, is set to become permanent.

‘The temporary rule allowing teams to make up to five substitutes is set to become permanent thanks to strong support from several influential football bodies,’ the report states.

‘The change would still allow competitions to opt for only three substitutions, as is the case in the Premier League at present, but there would be pressure on England’s top flight to fall into line with the rest of football next season.’

The Blues were one of ten Premier League clubs to vote for the idea, when a vote was put to them back in December last year.

This rule is already in place in the Carabao Cup, in which Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals on Tuesday night, and will allow head coach Thomas Tuchel the chance to make two more changes in a top flight match.