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

Reported Palace bid for James rejected

The Daily Star reports Chelsea have turned down an offer from Crystal Palace for young Blues full-back Reece James.

The Eagles are looking to bring in a new right-back after selling Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United and have reportedly shortlisted James, who was named in the Championship Team of the Season while on loan at Wigan in 2018/19.

‘Starsport understands Chelsea have rejected a £20m bid for James,’ states the paper.

‘The Blues see their academy product as a prospect for the future and they’re not willing to let him go while they have a transfer ban.’

According to the report, Palace manager Roy Hodgson is looking for extra depth in defence after watching his side lose 6-2 to National League side Barnet and 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in recent pre-season friendlies.

‘We've got enormous problems at the back at the moment,’ said Hodgson after the loss to Forest on Friday.

‘We really don't have any defenders, to speak of. Aaron's gone and we've got three others injured.

‘We will have to do the best we can to make sure we replace [Wan-Bissaka] in some way.’

Baker closing in on Dusseldorf move

Reports in Germany indicate midfielder Lewis Baker is close to completing a loan move to Fortuna Dusseldorf with the Rheinische Post stating he is currently in Austria where the German club is in pre-season training.

According to the report, the former England Under-21 international has been watching his potential new club in action while Fortuna’s sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel looks to finalise a deal with the Blues.

‘After Fortuna’s friendly against Istanbul Basaksehir on Saturday, Lutz Pfannenstiel made his way from Austria to Dusseldorf,’ states the German regional daily.

‘A day later, Fortuna’s sporting director in on a plane to London to conclude a deal with Chelsea. According to information from our editors and the Bild, the player in question is Lewis Baker.

‘The 24-year-old has been staying in Maria Alm, next to the team’s hotel and saw his supposed new team playing against Basaksehir in the friendly in Leogang.’

Baker, who spent last season on loan at Leeds United and Reading, joined Chelsea for pre-season training in Ireland and played in our match against Bohemians but was not included in the squad which travelled to Japan.

Pulisic reveals new boots

Christian Pulisic has become the second player to pay tribute to Chelsea with the design his new boots after revealing his new Nike Mercurials on Twitter.

The American shared a picture of himself holding up his new boots, which features his name in bold blue text next to the United Stated flag.

‘Excited to share my new Mercurial Nike By You Boots. These boots were inspired by my favourite Mercurials and the colours of my new club,’ stated the 20-year-old in his accompanying text.

Pulisic’s announcement followed former Chelsea star Eden Hazard who also paid tribute to the Blues with his new Nike Vapor360 boot design last week.