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

Boro reportedly want Baba

The Northern Echo reports Championship side Middlesbrough have inquired about a season-long loan for Baba Rahman, but Chelsea are still to decide the Ghanaian defender’s future.

Rahman was sidelined by a knee injury for most of the 2019/20 season while on loan at Spanish side Mallorca but the 26-year-old left-back appears to be ready for a return to competitive action after attending pre-season training at Cobham.

‘He has been working with the club’s Under-23s in the last few weeks,’ states the report. ‘Chelsea officials had lined up a couple of continental loan moves, but they failed to come to fruition before the overseas transfer window, meaning they cannot be resurrected until January at the earliest.

‘Rahman’s best chance of competing for a first-team place in the next two months will come via a loan move to the Championship, and Middlesbrough are one of around half-a-dozen clubs to have been in touch with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

‘Rahman, who could also play as the left of three centre-halves, would almost certainly become Boro’s new first-choice if he was to agree to a move to Teesside, but a number of other Championship clubs are also hoping to pull off a deal. Watford are known to have made a formal offer to Chelsea officials, while Derby County have also expressed an interest.

The loan window for Championship clubs closes at 5pm this Friday.

Charlton boss likens Maatsen to ex-Chelsea defender

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer said Ian Maatsen reminds him of former Chelsea full-back Jay Dasilva, who won the club’s Player of the Year award while he was on loan with the Addicks two years ago.

Speaking to his club's official website, Bowyer expressed his delight at completing the season-long loan with the Blues for the 18-year-old Dutch full-back who fits into his strategy for the League One side.

‘He’s a very exciting left-back. He’s ambitious [with the ball], very good in possession, he has great energy, great pace,’ said the Charlton boss.

‘I would say he is quite similar to Jay Dasilva, the way he travels with the ball and goes past people. He’s exciting and different to what we have.’

Dasilva spent 18 months at The Valley and was named their Player of the Year in the 2017/18 season after he helped the club qualify for the League One play-offs. He moved from Chelsea to Bristol City on a permanent deal last year.

Sturridge ready for return to football

The Sun reports former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is close to a return to competitive action after serving a ban for breaching betting rules.

The 31-year-old left Turkish side Trabzonspor in February when he was handed a four-month worldwide ban after being found guilty of two breaches over transfer information given to family members.

Now a free agent, Sturridge has been training with non-league side Kidsgrove Athletic to keep fit but he hinted at his imminent return with an Instagram post which featured a gif of him doing floor exercises and captioned: ‘Still active and focused baby. The comeback is near.’

The report suggests the former England international has a number of potential suitors including Aston Villa, Scottish giants Rangers, Italian outfit Benevento and some unnamed Major League Soccer teams.