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

Blind impressed by Blues

The Daily Mail reports Ajax defender Daley Blind is frustrated to see his former club Manchester United struggling in comparison to Chelsea in the Premier League.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of today’s Champions League clash in Amsterdam between Ajax and Chelsea, Blind drew a comparison between the Blues and his former team, who are currently 14th in the Premier League and only two points clear of the relegation zone.

'Of course I'm not happy to see Man Utd and how they're performing at the moment. I'm still a fan of United and it's not nice to see,' said the 29-year-old, who spent four seasons at Old Trafford before returning to Ajax in the summer of 2018.

'Regarding Chelsea, they are doing well, they have a good philosophy under a manager who wants to play out from the back.

'They play different attacking football with a lot of youngsters and that's nice to see.

'From that perspective, it's good. But if you're talking about United then I'm not happy about that, of course.'

Alonso jumps up power ranking

Marcos Alonso has made a big move up Sky Sports’ weekly power ranking, rising to third place after he got the only goal in our 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

The ranking measures the recent form of Premier League players and Alonso, who has been having plenty of regular playing time at left-back with Emerson sidelined by injury, saw his stock rise after his late strike against the Magpies secured our fifth straight win.

The Spaniard is narrowly behind second-placed Ricardo Pereira of Leicester City in the ranking with Jack Grealish of Aston Villa in top spot after the first nine rounds of league games.

Alonso moved ahead of last week’s rankings leader Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who is now fourth, while Matt Taggert of Aston Villa completes the top five.

There is plenty of Chelsea representation in the top 40 of the player power raking with Willian (13th), Fikayo Tomori (17th), Jorginho (25th), Tammy Abraham (34th) and Cesar Azpilicueta (37th) also appearing.

Charlton confident of Gallagher staying on

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has told the South London Press he is not worried Conor Gallagher will be recalled by Chelsea in January, indicating the Blues are happy with the progress of the young midfielder at The Valley.

The 19-year-old has impressed for the Addicks in his first spell in senior football with five goals and two assists so far this season.

While the teenager’s excellent form has seen him elevated to the England Under-21 squad, Bowyer is not concerned that his season-long loan will be cut short by Chelsea at the start of 2020.

‘I don’t think they (Chelsea) will do that,’ said the former Leeds midfielder. “Where would they send him that is better than here? That’s the question.

‘He’s close to home and they are over the moon with what’s happening with him. So, for me, it would be crazy to take him away from here. Just leave him to it. He is enjoying it here and learning.

‘The defensive side is the only weakness in his game, but he is improving on that already. Everything else is excellent – his work rate and physically he does well. His passing is very good with both feet and he arrives in the box, all the things you need to be a top midfielder.’