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

James’s father reveals his main Chelsea ambition

Nigel James has said a major ambition of his son Reece is to become Chelsea captain one day.

James hit a century of Chelsea appearances in our match against West Ham at the weekend, alongside starting his 50th Premier League game before he even turns 22 years old.

In an interview with The Athletic celebrating the milestones, his father spoke of where it all began when Reece was young and coming through at Cobham.

‘They set up a number of small pitches. Chelsea had two or three scouts around each pitch so they couldn’t miss anyone,’ he said.

‘In the first game, Reece scored a screamer from a free kick. In the second, bang, he did it again. During the third game he beat a few players and put it in the top corner.

‘In the last game he had another free kick and bent it straight in. By the time of the fourth or fifth game, basically every scout was around Reece’s pitch watching him. Reece won a trophy for being the best outfield player.

‘It was like homework. It was compulsory that I had to arrange a kickabout before he did any schoolwork.

‘He continued doing things out here even when he was signed up to clubs, including the first years at Chelsea. You could count on one hand how many birthday parties he went to. It was just football, football.’

On hitting both milestones last weekend, Reece’s father admitted he did not get emotional, but instead says that there is one honour that would mean so much to both him and Reece.

‘100 games, you just sit there and think, "Wow’". To do that at 21… there are some people who play 300 in their career. But I’m not emotional.

‘The part where I will be emotional is the day he becomes Chelsea captain. That’s his ambition and mine as well.

‘Right now, Reece is messing with opponents’ heads.’

Hungary boss makes transfer admission

Hungary national team manager Marco Rossi has stated that Attila Szalai, a reported target of the Blues, is now apparently close to joining the club.

Szalai, a central defender of Fenerbahce who sit third in the Turkish Super Lig, only joined his current team in January earlier this year from Cypriot side Apollon Limassol but Rossi is now stating he believes a move to the Premier League is close.

In a report by Goal, Rossi is quoted to have revealed talks are much closer than those reported a few weeks ago.

‘It’s hard to name just one player, but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbache, but I think he is joining Chelsea,’ the Hungary boss said.

‘Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea, I believe, is almost a done deal. He would be a great player also for Italian football.’

Szalai, six foot four in stature, has rapidly improved his game over the past year, including playing in all three games for his nation at Euro 2020, against France, Germany and Portugal.

Sutton still backing Blues for title charge

Chris Sutton believes there is no reason to write Chelsea out of the title race despite defeat to West Ham at the weekend.

Chelsea were unbeaten in 12 games before slipping to a narrow defeat in east London on Saturday, with a rather fortuitous goal winning it for David Moyes’s men.

In his Daily Mail column, the ex-Chelsea player isn’t letting recent results change his initial prediction of the Blues going on to lift the title.

‘I’ve tipped Chelsea to emerge as eventual champions,' wrote Sutton. 'A stumble here and there — defeat at West Ham, drawing at home to Burnley — won’t make me change my mind.

‘Although Chelsea do need to get back on track and get Romelu Lukaku fit and firing, like he was at the start of this season.

‘Sometimes it’s nice to be the ones doing the chasing rather than being chased.

‘Chelsea can have a go at that now but they need to regain a ruthless streak. Too many slip-ups and City could start to pull away.’