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

Board meeting to discuss match postponements

According to The Athletic, the Premier League is set to meet to discuss their rules and threshold for getting a match postponed.

‘The Premier League is ready to reconsider its rules on postponing fixtures after this weekend’s matches,' The Athletic understands.

‘It is believed a Premier League meeting will be called after the next round of fixtures for clubs to discuss how the rules should change, following weeks of controversy around rescheduled matches.

‘Following this round of games, the 23rd of the season, the Premier League enters a short winter break until February 8.

‘It’s hoped that the two-and-a-half-week break will give adequate time for the new rules to be decided and come into effect.’

Blues rivals drop out of race for French midfielder

Chelsea have been handed a major boost in any reported race to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

A story by ESPN suggests the Blues lead Premier League rivals Manchester United for his signature.

‘The 21-year-old is being linked with a €50 million move to west London and is seen by many not only as the long-term replacement for compatriot N'Golo Kante, but also as the potential future fulcrum of the whole Blues midfield,’ the report states.

‘Tchouameni is also wanted by Barcelona and Man United, though there are reports that the Red Devils have cooled their interest as they look to pursue other targets.’

‘The France international can play in front of the defence, like Kante, but he can also offer more of an attacking threat too,’ the report continues. ‘He has continued his fine form from last season into 2022, and he is a regular at the heart of Philippe Clement's side.’

Yet more positive words on Hayes

Eni Aluko has heaped praise on her former coach Emma Hayes after she won The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award on Monday.

Hayes had another stellar 2021 in the dugout, winning every domestic trophy going in the year – the Women’s Super League, the FA Cup and the Continental Cup - and for the first time in the club’s history, a Chelsea side reached the Women’s Champions League final.

‘Emma Hayes has been a visionary for the game. She has been a real trailblazer, pioneer and successful as well. She mentors a lot of female coaches, so she’s an important person in football. It’s a thoroughly deserved honour,’ Aluko said on talkSPORT.

‘Emma’s one of the best coaches in the world, so her analysis is a given. I don’t know why people are surprised by that,’ the 34-year-old added.

‘She’s really just communicating what she’s communicating daily to her team. That’s been really refreshing to see the voice of a female coach hold weight in the game. We need more of that.’

Aluko also spoke of her delight that a Premier League coach in the men’s game spoke out of Hayes’s success recently.

‘It was great to see Brendan Rodgers really shine a light on Emma and again, just endorse female coaches in the game because I think there should be way more female coaches in the men’s game,' added Eni.