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

Flick likes new-look Chelsea

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has described Chelsea as a ‘wonderful team’ which has the potential to cause problems for his side, ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.

The German champions go into the last 16 tie as favourites but speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Flick said he has a healthy respect for the Blues and our head coach Frank Lampard.

‘Chelsea this season are a real compliment to Frank Lampard. He has put together a really wonderful team with young players and experienced players,’ said the Bayern boss as reported by the official Champions League website.

‘They really play freely, and it has its advantages, especially when you're playing up front for attack.

‘Defensively sometimes there are quite a few mistakes but that's a team, especially here at home, that can really put the pressure on.

‘But I saw the game against Tottenham, so there will be a team there that can really put us under pressure and try to affect our rhythm.’

Rudiger reveals respect for Giroud

According to the Evening Standard, Antonio Rudiger has lauded the attitude of Olivier Giroud, who continues to work hard for the Chelsea cause despite being unable to secure a move to another club during the January transfer window.

The France forward was heavily linked in the media with a departure from Stamford Bridge last month but he remained with the Blues after a potential move failed to materialise.

According to Rudiger, the 33-year-old showed the right attitude by continuing to work hard in training and he was rewarded with his first Premier League goal of the season in our 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.

‘I give massive respect to him,’ said the Germany defender.

‘He was always patient, he never said anything, even when his transfer didn’t go through. He remained humble and worked hard.

‘There was also a difference when he came on against United. On Saturday he had a big impact [against Spurs]. He is a team player and he always puts himself on the line.

‘He is not only about scoring — he is always putting in the hard work and that is why I am very pleased.’

Ex-ref says Lo Celso error should never be repeated

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has told Sky Sports the decision not to send off Giovani Lo Celso for stamping on Cesar Azpilicueta’s leg after a VAR review is a mistake which should ‘never happen again’.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees the training, development and mentoring of match officials in the Premier League issued an apology on Saturday for the ‘human error’ in failing to dismiss Lo Celso for the incident.

However, the Argentinian midfielder can no longer be punished for the foul as the matter was deemed to have been dealt with when he was let off after the VAR review during the game.

‘When that incident happened the world and his wife wanted to know why. The Premier League came under immense pressure to explain why,’ said Gallagher, explaining PGMOL’s move to quickly issue an apology before the match had even ended.

‘Everyone knows it was a human error, the guy made an error on the day. That’s what it was. What they did is just announce that, it’s unfortunate but we can’t go back.

‘What will happen is they will go forward, sit and come to a conclusion of “if this happens, we have to do this,” because it can’t just be wiped away; they will have to go forward and make sure it never happens again.’