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

Marsch tips Werner to thrive at Chelsea

Having worked with Timo Werner at RB Leipzig, American coach Jesse Marsch is expecting the German striker to do well when he links up with Chelsea in the 2020/21 season, Goal.com reports.

Marsch, who is now manager of Austrian club RB Salzburg, had the opportunity to coach Werner when he was an assistant under manager Ralf Rangnick at Leipzig in the 2018/19 season and likes what he saw of the young forward.

He praised the versatility of the 24-year-old and feels he is most effective when given freedom to drift rather than being locked into a central striking role.

‘He likes to drift to the left and then come in with his right,’ he said to Bleacher Report’s Football Ranks podcast.

‘He can drag the ball [out wide] and cross it or come across the goal as well. He's also good at finishing crosses from the right side when he's attacking in the box, but he's also good in the middle and he's good on the right, too.

‘I think if you're playing with two strikers, which is what we did often at Leipzig, we gave them freedom to move to the left,’ he added.

‘We built that in tactically so he could find ways to be on the move but dangerous, but he could play as a second striker, he could play on the right, he can play in a front three, he can play any of those positions.

‘Again, he will work against the ball, he will defend, he'll work for the team, and the other thing that's so special about Timo is that for a guy who sprints so much in a game, he's always healthy.’

Chelsea duo in BBC’s team of the week

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has included Willian and Christian Pulisic in his team of the week after the duo played key roles in our 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Willian made Crooks’ list for a third time in a row after setting up our first two goals at Selhurst Park for Olivier Giroud and Pulisic.

‘I think Yaya Toure's done it, Steven Gerrard's definitely done it and I know Kevin de Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk have done it. All have made my team of the week on three consecutive occasions,’ said the former England forward.

‘Willian now joins this outstandingly consistent group of players. The Brazilian was at the heart of yet another successful performance by Chelsea, this time against Crystal Palace.’

Meanwhile, Pulisic impressed Crooks with his well-taken strike against the Eagles.

‘What a finish. The way he stood up Palace defender Joel Ward before firing an unstoppable left-foot strike past Vicente Guaita was quite brilliant,’ he added.

‘The USA international has been in sparkling form recently and was very unlucky not to make my team of the week after Chelsea's win over Watford.

‘Provided the American can remain fit, Chelsea have a player who can make goals as well as score them.’

Kalou joins Botafogo

Brazilian Serie A side Botafogo have confirmed the signing of former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou on their official website.

The 34-year-old, who played in our Champions League triumph in 2012, left Hertha Berlin earlier this week after a six-year spell at the German club.

However, he will continue his playing career in South America with Botafogo showcasing him in a video on their social media account.

‘Very proud to be in Botafogo,’ said Kalou in the video.

There were no details about the duration of the contract for the Ivory Coast international who is expected to make his debut for the Rio de Janeiro club when the Brazilian league returns in August.