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

Ampadu wants to be part of Lampard’s plans

According to the Sun, Ethan Ampadu is on a mission to force his way into Frank Lampard’s Chelsea plans next season after his season-long loan at German side RB Leipzig.

The teenager played regularly for Wales in their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 and has been getting more playing time at Leipzig recently after a difficult start to his loan spell in the Bundesliga.

However, the 19-year-old’s main target is to make enough of an impression to merit his place in Chelsea’s squad next year.

‘I want to show I don't have to go on another loan, go back to Chelsea and hopefully play more minutes there. That's the aim. It's what I want to do,’ said the Welshman.

‘At the moment, I have to train well, improve and get in the team and hopefully that will come for me for the next few years.’

Having seen Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James play for the Blues under Lampard after going on loan last season, Ampadu believes he can also make the step up.

‘There is positivity around Chelsea with all the younger players playing and it gives you a good feeling about it,’ he said.

‘Even last year or the year before when it was supposed they weren't playing young players you always wanted to be the one.

‘Because we're all the same age we want to see each other do well. Of course you want to be on the pitch. They are good players.’

Cundy and Cascarino disagree on Blues’ prospects

Former Chelsea team-mates Jason Cundy and Tony Cascarino have taken contrasting views of the Blues’ prospects in the Champions League while appearing on TalkSport.

Following the Blues’ 2-2 draw in Valencia, Cundy suggested Frank Lampard’s side are capable of being crowned European champions.

‘I think we can. Why not?’ said the former Blues defender. ‘The best team does not always win the Champions League. The last time Chelsea won it, we were average.

‘I’m not saying we will, the chances are we probably won’t, but look at Spurs last year. They were going out against Ajax and found a way to win. Yes, they had a world-class striker in Harry Kane, but he didn’t dig them out, Lucas Moura did, and he isn’t world-class.

‘You have to be realistic. I know Chelsea are nowhere near the best in Europe, we’re nowhere near the best in this country. But you give me any game at any time and ask me, have we got the players to beat a certain team? Yes we do. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, over two legs, yes.’

However, Cascarino disagreed with Cundy’s suggestion when he appeared on a later show.

‘I get why Chelsea fans are excited about the team’s attacking flair, they always look like getting goals. But I cannot see them winning the Champions League if they defend the way they did [against Valencia],’ said the former Ireland forward.

‘Chelsea cannot win the Champions League if they think they’re just going to outscore everybody.

‘Can they win games? Yeah, they can beat anyone on their day, but I can’t see them putting in a really mundane and professional defensive performance, like the one that won Liverpool the final last season against Tottenham.

‘I think there’s a lot more to come from this Chelsea team, but I think it might be too early for them.’

Drinkwater may get his chance at Burnley

The Daily Mail reports Burnley manager Sean Dyche is weighing up whether to give Danny Drinkwater his first Premier League start for the Clarets with the midfielder back to fitness after recovering from an ankle injury.

With Ashley Westwood serving a one-match ban against Crystal Palace on Saturday after picking up five bookings, Dyche could give the Chelsea loanee a place in his starting line-up.

'He's getting fitter,’ said the Burnley boss of Drinkwater. ‘He's had a number of reserve games, which was important, because he hasn't played that much football, and his sharpness is improving, so he's certainly in the mix.

'We all know there's nothing like the real thing. You get players to a level, they get themselves to a level of course by taking on the work. His training levels have improved and I think he's feeling better.

'I've spoken about the bigger picture to him because he's desperate to play. Working hard, trying to get back fit. An incident can happen and then you've got to recover from that.

'I think it's a case of appropriate timing, when he's ready, and of course displacing someone else, because we like the midfield players we've got here. He knows it's a challenge, he knew it when he came here.'

Drinkwater’s only appearance to date for Burnley was in a 3-1 loss to League One side Sunderland in the Carabao Cup in August.