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

Mount’s father on his son’s Chelsea dream

In an interview with the Sun, Mason Mount’s father, Tony, has revealed his son’s fierce determination to become a Chelsea star saw him turn down a number of tempting offers to leave the club when he was 15 years old.

Tony, a former non-league manager, tried to convince Mason to consider other opportunities when he was offered a scholarship by the Blues in 2014 but the youngster was having none of it.

‘I said, “No one at Chelsea’s academy has got into the first-team since John Terry - what chance have you got?”’ said Tony.

‘Mason shot back, “I’ll be the next one.” He said, “I’m not leaving Chelsea, it’s my club. I’ve been here since the age of six and I’m going all the way.”’

In a lengthy interview, Tony told a number of interesting anecdotes about his son, revealing how he was already outshining team-mates in his under-8 team as a five-year-old, the unhappiness Mason (as a young Portsmouth fan) felt at having to wear a red-and-white striped shirt during a trial at Southampton, and his close friendship with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Tony also spoke of how Mason’s desire to work with Frank Lampard convinced him to join Derby County last year with the season they spent working together at Pride Park putting him in a good position to make his breakthrough as a Chelsea player in the upcoming campaign.

‘I don’t think that opportunity has been there before - and history tells you that - but it could be totally different with the new management team,’ he added.

‘The expectation is that an opportunity will be given to Mason, and pre-season shows that could happen.’

Loftus-Cheek helped convince Cahill to join Palace

Gary Cahill has explained the role former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek played in convincing him to join Crystal Palace for the upcoming season, the Evening Standard reports.

Having left Stamford Bridge at the end of his contract in June, the former Chelsea captain fielded a number of offers as a free agent before he decided to sign a two-year deal with the Eagles this week.

According to the 33-year-old, he sought the advice of Loftus-Cheek, who made 25 appearances for Palace while on loan at Selhurst Park two seasons ago, before making the decision to continue his Premier League career in south London.

‘He did [play a part in me signing], he loved it here and I thought it benefited both parties,’ Cahill said.

‘Ruben is a special player, he is going to have a massive future and I thought he was fantastic in the games he played for Palace. Likewise, Palace gave him the opportunity to go and play football in the Premier League so I think it worked.

‘He spoke very highly of the place, not just playing for the team and for the fans but also behind the scenes at the training ground and all the people that surround the club.’

Blues and Owls discuss Hector move

The Daily Mail reports central defender Michael Hector is in talks over a permanent move to Sheffield Wednesday after an impressive season on loan at Hillsborough last season.

Hector joined the Blues from Reading in 2015 but the Jamaica international has yet to play for Chelsea after spells on loan at Reading, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hull and Wednesday.

However, the 27-year-old looks set to remain with the Owls after an impressive campaign in which he was named the club’s player of the year.

The reports adds Fulham and Bristol City have also expressed interest in Hector, who has one year remaining on his contract at Chelsea.