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

Chelsea favourites to sign Kounde

Chelsea have emerged as the most likely destination for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, according to reports in El Desmarque shared by TeamTalk.

Tottenham Hotspur were previously thought to be leading the race to sign the French international, with Manchester United and Real Madrid also believed to be interested, but the latest reports claim the Blues have moved ahead of our London rivals in the race for his signature.

Kounde is considered one of Europe’s most promising defenders, having impressed during his two seasons with Sevilla since moving from Bordeaux in 2019, earning a late call-up to France’s Euro 2020 squad before making his international debut.

The report also claims Sevilla may now be willing to accept a reduced bid of £50m, rather than holding out for the full £70m release clause in his contract.

However, it is thought that Tottenham’s failure to qualify for the Champions League means Kounde is not keen on a move to Spurs, while Chelsea are considered to have the ‘prestige and ambitious goals’ needed to entice him to Stamford Bridge.

Youngster backed to make impact

Chelsea Academy defender Dujon Sterling has been tipped as the next Blues youngster to make a push for inclusion in the first-team squad by football.london.

Several Chelsea players have returned from loan spells to make their mark on our senior side in recent years, including the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham, and Sterling is tipped as one of those who could follow in their footsteps during the coming season.

Following loans with Coventry City and Wigan Athletic – where James also spent time on loan – Sterling returned to Cobham partway through last season to recover following a spell of bad luck with injury and illness.

Now back to full fitness, the 23-year-old – who can play anywhere along the back line as well as having experience as a right-sided wing-back – is being tipped to catch the eye in pre-season as the late return of our international players involved in Euro 2020 could give him the chance to impress Thomas Tuchel over the next few weeks.

Selt thanks Terry for morale boost

Snooker player Matthew Selt has told Eurosport a dream golfing trip with Chelsea legend John Terry has given him added motivation for the start of the new snooker season.

Selt revealed his preparations for the start of his campaign were given a big boost when he joined Terry and seven-time snooker world champion Stephen Hendry for some time on the fairway in Scotland, taking the opportunity to get advice from the all-conquering former Blues captain.

‘It was ridiculous, I was like a kid at Christmas,’ he said. ‘ Those things don’t come around very often. To be invited and be able to do it was incredible.

‘We were talking about feelings and emotions associated with professional sport. It was nice to get a different point of view.

‘Ultimately we are playing different sports but we all want the same thing and that is to win. Just to dive into the mindset of someone who has achieved what John has was really nice.’