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

Returning Rom a massive boost for the Blues

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes the return to fitness for Romelu Lukaku could be hugely influential in Chelsea’s chance of silverware come May.

Our number nine made a difference at Villa Park after entering the field at half-time, nodding in a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross to establish a lead before winning a last-minute penalty.

‘Lukaku has single-handedly got his team back in this title race,’ said the Sky Sports pundit.

‘They needed something, they needed a spark and that's exactly what he brought. In the first half they were going nowhere fast, the manager was scratching his head thinking 'what do I do?'.

‘From minute one when he came on he just made such a difference. He added that confidence. Everything started to click.

‘You could play from deep, you could play it in behind, he gives you that focal point and you can pop it into him… He gives them something completely different.’

Redknapp also added that he believes Chelsea are now underdogs in the race for the title but the returning Romelu is a key factor.

‘They looked a completely different proposition with him up front and when they can get their best players on the pitch - N'Golo Kante, Lukaku - Chelsea look a much better side. And of course, they're right in this title race.

‘City and Liverpool are right now, for me, the best teams, but Chelsea have to hope City maybe have a blip or things don't go their way.

‘But if Chelsea are to win it, Lukaku is going to play a massive part.’

Plenty of Chelsea representation in Guardian Top 100

Four Chelsea players have been named in the top 20 of The Guardian’s 100 best male footballers of the year award.

Jorginho finished highest on their list, in fifth position, after winning both Euro 2020 and the Champions League, before being named third place in the Ballon d’Or last month.

‘Few people would have anticipated the midfielder being a Ballon d’Or contender at the start of the year. He was in and out of the Chelsea team under Frank Lampard and had still not shaken off the associations with Sarriball,’ writes Guardian journalist Jacob Steinburg.

‘Now, though, nobody doubts Jorginho’s class. The 30-year-old took his game to new heights after Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard and he did not slow down after helping Chelsea win the Champions League.’

Midfielder N’Golo Kante was the other Blues star to finish in the Top 10, with a ninth-placed finish.

‘The midfielder was extraordinary when Chelsea won the Champions League. He overpowered Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid en route to the final and was man of the match when Manchester City were beaten in Porto.’

Romelu Lukaku finished 11th, while Edouard Mendy finished in 20th position. Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rudiger and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta all also finished within the Top 50 players.

The award is calculated by point scoring all of the journalists’ vote. ‘The No 1 choice of each judge was awarded 40 points, No 2 given 39, down to one point for their No 40. All the votes were added together to give a raw score,’ the report confirms.

Boga reportedly close to finding new club

Chelsea Academy graduate Jeremie Boga is reportedly close to switching Sassuolo for Atalanta in Italy's Serie A.

Boga was part of the development squad at Cobham between 2009 and 2015, and made one appearance for our men's first team in 2017. The 24-year-old is now close to leaving Sassuolo after three years at the club.

This is according to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano. ‘Jeremie Boga from Sassuolo to Atalanta, confirmed and here we go!’ he tweeted.

‘Done deal and agreement reached today between clubs. Final fee will be around €22m plus add ons.

‘Boga will be in Bergamo in the next hours for medical and contract signing.’

The Ivorian has featured 12 times for the Serie A side but is yet to find the net this campaign, and looks set to leave the club with 18 goals in 102 appearances for the Black and Greens.