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

Ampadu creates stir with new look

Ethan Ampadu has ditched his trademark dreadlocks just in time for Christmas and his Chelsea team-mates have wasted no time reacting to his radical new cropped look.

A video of the Wales international, who is currently on a season-long loan at RB Leipzig, having his famous mane shorn was shared on Instagram by his celebrity barber HD Cutz.

After completing the haircut and getting a hug from Ampadu, the barber posted the video with a comment: ‘Change. It is always inevitable. Never be afraid to make Your Personal transition, It will create a new perspective...’

Ampadu’s cropped new look has certainly created a stir with a number of Chelsea players including Antonio Rudiger, Michy Batshuayi, Emerson, Ross Barkley, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi responding to the post.

‘Thank you Jesus,’ wrote Tomori with emojis of two hands raised in the air.

‘OMGGGGGG @ethanampa26 finally,’ added Abraham.

‘Man like Tarzan finally sorted out the madness,’ Kasey Palmer chimed in.

Ampadu himself has yet to make any comment on his radical new do.

Isco rumour heats up

According to the Mirror, Real Madrid are offering Chelsea the opportunity to sign Isco in January as they look to pave the way for the arrival of Christian Eriksen from Tottenham Hotspur.

It was reported in Spain last week that the Blues had made an offer for the 27-year-old but the new rumours suggest the deal could happen with Real keen to freshen up their squad.

‘The La Liga giants are thought to be willing to sell Isco in order to free up space in their squad to bring long-term target Eriksen to the Bernabeu,’ stated the Mirror’s report.

‘Spain midfielder Isco has struggled to pin down a regular place at the Bernabeu under coach Zinedine Zidane, and has failed to score or create an assist in his 10 La Liga appearances so far this season.

‘The skilful playmaker has recently fought his way back into Zidane’s team, but was booked in Real’s goalless draw with Barcelona last Wednesday before being taken off late in the game.

‘Danish midfielder Eriksen is still refusing to sign a new deal at Tottenham, even though new manager Jose Mourinho wants him to stay.

‘Eriksen will be free to talk to foreign clubs in January with his contract running out in the summer, and Madrid are thought to be among the front-runners for his signature.’

Gallagher backs up VAR decisions

Speaking to Ref Watch on Sky Sports, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said he was in full agreement with the VAR decisions made during Sunday’s derby match against Tottenham Hotspur.

The first incident he backed up was the penalty awarded in first-half stoppage time after Marcos Alonso was clattered by Paulo Gazzaniga when the Spurs goalkeeper completely missed the ball with an attempted clearance.

Referee Anthony Taylor initially awarded a free-kick to Spurs but he overturned the decision following a VAR review, pointing to the spot and cautioning the Tottenham player.

‘This is VAR at its best. We want to see VAR in use for the big decisions and that's exactly what we get,’ said Gallagher.

‘Perhaps initially Anthony thinks Alonso has gone into the goalkeeper, but it's 100 per cent a penalty. The VAR has told him he has to change his mind.’

Gallagher also felt Son Heung-min deserved a red card after putting his studs into Antonio Rudiger following a challenge by the Blues defender.

‘For me, again, VAR has done a massive service to the game. He uses both boots and you can't do that. For me it's a red card. His boots [are] back and then suddenly, bang,’ he said.

‘To lift your boots up like that when you're on the floor, you've got to do that with a certain amount of force because you have to throw your body up. VAR was absolutely correct.’