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

Collins grateful for club’s support at difficult time

Barnsley goalkeeper Brad Collins has thanked Chelsea for the support which was shown to him when his father passed away four years ago, the Yorkshire Post reports.

The Academy graduate spent nine years with the club from the age of 12 and started in goal for the Blues in our back-to-back UEFA Youth League triumphs in 2015 and 2016.

But for all of the success he enjoyed with Chelsea, it was the care shown to him at a time of great difficulty which he remembers most fondly.

‘My dad passed away during my time there and off the pitch, they were very good to me and my family and I thank them a lot for that,’ said Collins, who played for the Tykes in their Carabao Cup match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

‘It was a very strange feeling and I have never felt anything like that in my life before. Adi Viveash and Neil Bath helped my family a lot and helped with the funeral and things like that.

‘From the age of 11 when I went there, my dad used to take me every day and dad grew a good bond with the coaches and they knew him very well.

‘It is not just on the pitch there, but off the pitch as well. They have such a variety of coaching staff who help in every aspect of your game. It is really good coming through at a place like that.’

Spurs to get free pass to play Blues?

The Evening Standard reports Tottenham Hotspur are to be awarded a bye into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and will face Chelsea next week after Leyton Orient gave up their bid to have the abandoned third-round tie rescheduled.

According to the report, Orient had hoped to play the match at a later date after it was called off less than three hours before kick-off on Tuesday following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the east London club.

‘Following talks with the EFL, the Os are resigned to the game not taking place and their players were informed on Wednesday afternoon,’ states the paper.

‘The League Two club were desperate to play the game which was worth a precious £150,000 in Sky Sports and sponsorship revenue, but it is understood the EFL has agreed to make up some of the shortfall following today's discussions.

‘Orient are understood to have argued that the EFL were guilty of double standards after West Ham's game against Hull went ahead on Tuesday, despite Hammers boss David Moyes and two of his players returning positive tests just 70 minutes before kick-off.

‘There is no requirement for regular coronavirus testing for EFL clubs but Orient accepted Tottenham's offer to pay for a round of testing after their 2-2 draw with Mansfield on Saturday, and up to 17 members of the squad returned positive results.’

Bulka set to leave PSG

Goal.com reports former Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Marcin Bulka is to leave Paris Saint-Germain just a year after joining the French side.

The Poland youth international had hoped to establish himself with the Ligue 1 champions after leaving Stamford Bridge but after making only two appearances for them in the past year, he is moving on again in search of more playing time.

‘The 20-year-old is third choice at PSG behind No 1 Keylor Navas and backup Sergio Rico and has decided that he must leave the French champions to continue his development,’ states the report.

‘There is plenty of interest in Bulka, whose contract expires at the end of this season. Sources have confirmed to Goal that PSG are exploring the possibility of extending Bulka's contract and sending him on loan for the 2020-21 season.

‘Speaking to Polish outlet Meczyki last month, Bulka's agent Stefano Castagana confirmed interest in his client from Serie A side Genoa.

‘Meczyki also reported that two Polish clubs, Legia Warsaw and Wisla Krakow, had inquired about Bulka.’