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

Blues prepare deal for Chiesa

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are both reportedly readying huge offers to sign Juventus and Italy striker Federico Chiesa.

The Blues cruised past the Old Lady 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with Chiesa playing in a front two for Massimiliano Allegri’s men alongside former Chelsea striker, Alvaro Morata.

According to Calciomercato, Thomas Tuchel’s side ‘have shown an interest’ in the Italian international and are ‘ready to make an important investment’ to bring his services to SW6.

The report states that despite a difficult first few months in Turin after signing from Fiorentina, the 24-year-old is now a huge player for the 36-time Italian champions.

‘Within a few months he became a top club player, decisive for Italy at the European Championship won last summer and sought after by the big names on the market,’ the story explains.

‘Bayern Munich and, above all, Chelsea have shown themselves interested in the former Fiorentina man and are ready to make an important investment to take him from Juventus.’

Poyet raves about Kounde

Former Chelsea player Gus Poyet wants to see reported Blues target Jules Kounde sign for the club.

The Paris-born centre-back was managed by Poyet whilst at Bordeaux in Ligue 1, before signing for La Liga side Sevilla.

Chelsea were reportedly very keen on signing Kounde in the summer and Poyet believes he would be a great fit for the Blues, speaking in an interview reported on by the Metro.

‘Jules Kounde played 90 minutes in every game he played for me. Jules was a very good professional from a very young age – at 19, he was already assuming responsibilities,’ Poyet said.

‘He was a guy who I connected with very well from the beginning – he had what I like from a centre-half.

‘The responsibility I gave him as centre-half, with and without the ball, he understood it from the first minute, so I knew he would be very, very important for me.

‘I was not surprised when he went to Sevilla for 25 million, because I knew he wanted to have an experience at a bigger club.

‘And he’s already won the Europa League with Sevilla, which is fantastic and important for him as well.

‘I think he’s got the quality to come to a top team in England – I’ve got no doubt. And if it’s Chelsea – even better, because I would like to see him, and I would like him to play for Chelsea.

‘He wants to improve all the time, he listens to the coach, he wants to train. He is very powerful, a very special boy, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s coming to England next summer.’

Half-time could be extended to 25 minutes

Football lawmakers IFAB are to discuss future plans to increase half-time breaks from 15 to 25 minutes in a bid to provide ‘Super-Bowl-style’ entertainment.

The proposals have been put forward by South American federation CONMEBOL.

The Daily Mail are reporting that proposals have been put forward to tweak the laws, not only to add shows and music to the intervals but also improve match quality with more time for coaches to speak to their players.

‘The game's lawmakers will discuss a request to increase half-time intervals from 15 minutes to 25 so that football can introduce Super Bowl-style entertainment midway through matches,’ the report states.

‘Tweaking the laws would enable English football to likewise introduce extravagant half-time shows, such as live music midway through the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, if it wished.

‘Lawmakers IFAB will meet on Thursday for their Annual Business Meeting, chaired by world governing body FIFA.

‘A similar attempt to increase the length to 20 minutes in 2009 was unsuccessful.’

‘Extra time would enable coaches to better prepare their players tactically for the second half, thereby improving the quality of the football on show.’