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

Wilson flattered by Chelsea interest

Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has told Sky Sports he is flattered by previous reports of Chelsea’s interest in him but is focussed for now on improving his form and keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League.

‘Of course it is flattering, they are great clubs, massive clubs in the league,’ said Wilson, when asked about the reported interest from the likes of the Blues.

‘There were links and talks but I'm not one to read papers or listen to too much news. But you hear it from people - from friends, from family - and it only encourages me to do well really.’

However, after scoring 14 goals in the Premier League last season, the 28-year-old has not been as consistent in 2019/20 with only eight goals for the Cherries who are in the relegation zone on goal difference.

‘Last season, my performances were quite consistent and when there were links, I tried to stay at a certain level and play well,’ he continued.

‘Any player would like to play in the Champions League and progress, that's what I've based my whole career on.

‘First and foremost is obviously keeping Bournemouth up and safe and I haven't been good enough this season to even be talking about things like that.

‘I put it to the back of my mind and tried to focus on myself.’

PSG also eyeing Hakimi

According to the Daily Mail, Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly joined the race to sign defender Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid this summer.

The Morocco international has impressed on loan at Borussia Dortmund during the past two seasons and reportedly drawn interest from the German club as well as the Blues and Juventus.

Spanish media outlet AS now indicate PSG are also interested in the 21-year-old.

‘The Moroccan international is due to return to the Bernabeu when his two-year loan at Borussia Dortmund ends,’ states the report.

‘Hakimi, who can play on either side of the defence but is usually deployed at right-back, has impressed while on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

‘A product of Real Madrid's youth system, Hakimi is a Morocco international who has been capped by his country on 28 occasions. He has made 17 appearances for Real and featured in their Champions League-winning campaign in 2017-18.'

Hakimi's current contract at Real is set to run until the summer of 2022.

Ali delighted for ex-Academy team-mates

Mukhtar Ali has told Goal.com he is delighted to see his former Chelsea Academy team-mates Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount breaking through to the senior team but has no regrets about deciding to leave the club three years ago.

After a spell in the Netherlands at Vitesse Arnhem, Ali now plays in Saudi Arabia but continues to keep a close eye on the Blues and the youngsters he once played alongside.

‘To see them in Chelsea's starting line-up is a joy for everyone who was part of our youth team,’ said the 22-year-old. ‘I never look at the situation now and think it should have been me, because I am very happy for them.

‘I am still in contact with a lot of them and they deserve to be in the first team. Tammy has always been a guy who just wanted to score goals and you could see that from very young, wherever he is playing. He was very tall throughout the academy years, so he was physically superior to everyone in his team and the opposition.

‘Mason was a year younger than us but he played a lot with us in the youth team and you could see his quality straight away. You could pass the ball to him in any position and he would control it well. He could play under pressure, he was a good combination player and he was very, very smart.’

Ali himself is now settled in Riyadh, where he plays for high-flying Al Nassr and the Saudi Arabia national team.

‘Saudi Arabia got in contact with me the year we won the Youth Cup. I was born there, so it was a natural decision to play for them, one made with my parents and my agent,’ said Ali, who played for England at Under-17 level.

‘A lot of people might think I moved to Saudi Arabia for the money but that definitely wasn't the reason. Al Nassr won the league last year and it is a big club.

‘As a young player at Chelsea, I always challenged for trophies. I have that will to win and Al Nassr have the same mentality.’