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

Blues in talks for Milinkovic-Savic?

TalkSport reports that an Italian media outlet is claiming Chelsea are stepping up efforts to sign midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio this summer.

The broadcaster suggests Chelsea technical mentor Claude Makelele is involved in the discussions for the Serbia international who is also wanted by Real Madrid.

‘According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the Blues have begun talks to sign the 25-year-old, who is valued at around £80million by the Serie A club,’ states the report.

‘Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to the Premier League repeatedly in recent seasons, with Manchester United and Tottenham expressing interest in the midfielder in the past.

‘The report states that former midfielder Claude Makelele, who is now a technical mentor and youth coach at Chelsea, is involved in the discussions to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

‘The Serbia international has made his name as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since his move from Genk in 2015, scoring 37 goals in 197 appearances at the Stadio Olimpico.’

Pulisic earns Redknapp praise

Writing in the Daily Mail, former England Jamie Redknapp has lauded the form of Christian Pulisic, likening the American to Eden Hazard and suggesting he could be Chelsea’s most important player.

After watching Pulisic win a penalty for the Blues for the second straight game in our 3-0 win over Watford last weekend, Redknapp outlined the attacking threat posed by the United States international.

‘There was a reason Etienne Capoue sprinted 20 yards to confront Christian Pulisic at Stamford Bridge. He was petrified of what Pulisic would do with the ball in the box, and he wound up giving away a clumsy penalty,’ said the former England midfielder.

‘That’s the threat the American is carrying right now. This was a signing that Frank Lampard inherited when he became Chelsea boss in the summer, with the club having lost Eden Hazard. Now Pulisic is looking like he could be Lampard’s most important player.

‘He is continuing to have an impact and seems to have seized the lockdown opportunity to bulk up. Confidence is everything in football. This is Pulisic’s first season in the Premier League, but now he knows he has the ability to compete with the big boys, you can see the belief he is playing with.’

Willian in BBC’s team of the week

Pulisic was not the only Chelsea player to earn high praise from the trouncing of Watford as Willian was included by BBC pundit Garth Crooks in his team of the week.

Crooks was impressed after he watched the Brazilian net his fourth goal in three league matches and also become the first Chelsea player to convert penalties in three consecutive Premier League games.

‘He was outstanding against West Ham in midweek and the architect of Watford's downfall at Stamford Bridge,’ said Crooks.

‘Mason Mount and Ross Barkley appear to be the main beneficiaries of Willian's brilliance in midfield at the moment. The Brazilian is giving Chelsea what Eden Hazard gave them last season, and not just from the penalty spot either.

‘His all-round game has been the glue to the vast majority of Chelsea's performances this season. If he doesn't play well, neither do Chelsea.’