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

Pulisic leading way for young Americans

Borussia Dortmund youngster Gio Reyna has credited Christian Pulisic with blazing a trail for young American players at big clubs in Europe, The Athletic reports.

The talented teenager, who has made a big impression since he broke into the senior team at Pulisic’s former club Borussia Dortmund in January, said the Chelsea attacker had been an inspiration for all footballers from the United States.

‘He didn’t just open the doors for me but for everyone [in the US],” said the son of former USA captain Claudio Reyna

‘Because of him, young players have come to Europe to big clubs, looking to take the next steps in their career. He’s the one who has really made that possible. He made us believe we could do this.’

Added the 17-year-old: ‘The most important thing I talked about with my father and my agent was my need to play. Dortmund was the perfect place for me because I knew they gave young players like Christian Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele time on the pitch and a chance to do it.

‘I knew I maybe wasn’t going to be the biggest fish in the pond at Dortmund, compared (to) going to some other Bundesliga clubs. But I was confident enough in myself to know that if I worked hard and trained hard I could make it to the first team and become a regular. I’m on the right path of doing that just now.’

Drogba voted Ligue 1’s greatest striker

According to the Sun, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has sent a heartfelt message of thanks to French football fans after they voted him the best striker to play in Ligue 1 in the last 20 years.

While the Ivorian spent the majority of his career at Stamford Bridge, fans in France still fondly remember him for his spells at Guingamp and Marseille as he collected 51 per cent of the 40,094 votes cast on Ligue 1's official Twitter account to beat Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the poll.

The 42-year-old was delighted with the honour and took to social media to thank fans.

‘Waaaw what recognition from the fans, thank you @EAGuingamp @OM_Officiel for allowing me to experience these incredible emotions,’ he tweeted.

‘Great respect to all strikers who have played in the French championship.’

In addition to Ibrahimovic, Drogba also beat the likes of Fernando Morientes, Alexander Frei, Karim Benzema and Pauleta to claim the honour.

Kane rues untimely injury

Former Chelsea Academy full-back Todd Kane has told Goal.com about an untimely knee injury he suffered in April 2016 which may have cost him his chance to make the breakthrough into the senior team at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old now plays for Championship side Queens Park Rangers but he said he could have established himself as a wing-back in Antonio Conte’s side if he had not torn his anterior cruciate ligament while playing on loan at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

‘That was the moment where I was close to making it,’ said Kane, a member of our 2012 FA Youth Cup-winning side. ‘I had Michael Emenalo and Antonio Conte come to watch me ahead of taking over, against Ajax. They also watched me against Vitesse Arnhem.

‘After that second game, they told me I was going to be involved in the first team. Then, three or four months down the line I did my anterior cruciate ligament. I knew from that moment that it wasn’t going to happen for me at Chelsea.’

After recovering from his injury, Kane spent time on loan at Groningen, Oxford United and Hull City before he was released by Chelsea at the end of last season.