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

Anelka tips Blues to shine

The Sun reports ex-Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has high hopes for the Blues in the upcoming season and believes we have a squad that will push Liverpool and Manchester City hard in the race for the Premier League title.

Speaking to Malaysia satellite broadcasters Astro, the Frenchman expressed confidence that Frank Lampard’s side have the quality to be title challengers after bringing in Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz for the new campaign.

‘I think they have a great chance to win the title,’ said Anelka. ‘It depends on what Liverpool and Manchester City will do as well but he (Lampard) has got the quality to finish fourth in the league last season and, with the signings, he’s got the quality to win it.

‘It depends after in terms of the experience of the players whether they are strong enough to race until the end but the quality is in Chelsea as well.

‘So I believe first, second or third. We will see a great Chelsea at the end.’

Anelka also backed the managerial ability of his former Blues team-mate Lampard.

‘I think Frank is clever, he knew what he needed to be able to win and compete against big teams and you need experience,’ added the striker, who won the Premier League Golden Boot as a Chelsea player in 2008/09.

‘When I was playing for Chelsea and Arsenal, we had a young team but also experienced players. You still have space for the youngsters to play, they just have to be strong mentally to compete every week.

‘This is football, you always have to compete to be able to play. When you’re at a big club, it’s like that.’

Giroud believes competition will benefit Blues

According to Goal.com, Olivier Giroud is looking forward to competing for his spot in Frank Lampard’s side in the upcoming season and feels it will boost our hopes of winning the Premier League.

The France international was in fine form in the closing weeks of last season, scoring in five of Chelsea’s last six league matches to help us secure a top-four finish.

But while the 33-year-old faces strong competition for a spot in the starting line-up following the summer arrival of Timo Werner, he believes it will work to the benefit of the team.

‘One thing is certain: the competition [in the squad] will pull us all to the top. A great club should have different options in each position,’ said Giroud in an interview with Telefoot.

‘We want to be in the race for the title and I'm here. I finished the season well and I proved to the manager that he can count on me.

‘Werner is not the same profile as me, I hope to have some playing time.’

Robben bags first comeback goal

Former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben delighted Groningen fans on Sunday when he scored his first goal for the club since coming out of retirement, ESPN.com reports.

Having hung up his boots at the end of the 2018/19 season, the 36-year-old has re-joined the club where he started his career in 2000 and he showed his quality with a fine left-footed strike after 17 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Arminia Bielefeld in a pre-season friendly.

‘Yes it has been a while,’ said the Dutchman, who captained Groningen in the game. ‘It is always nice. I have looked forward to the first moment in our stadium.

‘It is not something that you get rid off, such a finish.

‘It was not the most important thing of today, scoring a goal. I am just happy to progress, to play 45 minutes. A few good moments in the match where you feel you're OK. but there is still room for improvement.’

Groningen host another of Robben’s former clubs, PSV Eindhoven, in their opening match of the season next Sunday.

You can view Robben’s goal on this link.