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

Cascarino says Chelsea better without Hazard

Tony Cascarino has told TalkSport Frank Lampard has made Chelsea a better team despite the summer departure of Eden Hazard and the absence of some key players.

Hazard was in inspired form last season as he scored 21 goals to help us finish third in the Premier League and lift the Europa League.

But speaking after our 4-2 win at Burnley on Saturday, which extended our run of consecutive wins to seven, Cascarino suggested the Blues have benefited from letting the Belgian move on to Real Madrid.

‘You can have one player who is so good for you that you’re so reliant on him and you keep giving him the ball,’ said the former Chelsea forward.

‘Now you can give it to Mason Mount, he might create something for Tammy Abraham, Jorginho is getting on the ball far more.

‘Let’s remember who’s not playing for Chelsea at the moment: N’Golo Kante, their best defender Antonio Rudiger.

‘So you have to turn back and think there’s a lot that he [Lampard] is getting right and the team is reacting to a lot of big players that aren’t at the club or not playing.’

Redknapp likes Lampard’s treatment of Pulisic

In his column in the Daily Mail, Jamie Redknapp has praised Frank Lampard’s handling of Christian Pulisic, stating the Chelsea head coach knows what he is doing with the American.

The former England international midfielder likened the situation of Pulisic with Patrice Evra, who was substituted at half-time on his Manchester United debut in 2006 when they lost 3-1 to Manchester City but went on to win five Premier League titles with the Red Devils.

‘Before introducing himself against Burnley, Pulisic's ability was being questioned. The critics were out in force, apparently because he had not had the impact they expected,’ said Redknapp of the young American after his hat-trick in the 4-2 win over the Clarets.

‘That frustrated me. In this country, we seem to like judging a player before he gets a proper chance to show us what he is all about.

‘Just because Pulisic cost £58million, or because he is seen as a superstar in the United States, does not mean we should expect him to arrive in England and rip it up from the get-go. It takes time.

‘He has to get to know the Premier League first. Just like Evra did for United. Just like Fabinho has done for Liverpool.

‘Frank Lampard knows what he is doing with Pulisic, too. He is taking care of the 21-year-old forward. The American is obviously keen to impress – he cut short his summer holidays so he could get to Chelsea and impress his new boss as soon as possible – but there is no rush.

‘Let's give Pulisic the time he deserves and see how far he can go.’

Magpies reportedly want James on loan

The Sun is reporting Newcastle United are keen to sign Reece James on loan in January.

According to the paper, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is a big fan of the 19-year-old and wants to give him an opportunity to fill their right-back position for the second half of the season.

‘James has forced his way into Frank Lampard’s squad but will only get a few matches because of the form of Cesar Azpilicueta,’ stated the report.

‘Bruce is willing to give James the stage to play every week at Newcastle for a few months and plans to put his case before the window opens.

‘Newcastle have struggled to fill the right-back position with the likes of Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth and DeAndre Yedlin all featuring there this season.’