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

Chelsea show big improvement since lockdown

According to TalkSport, an analysis of Premier League results from before and after the Covid-19 lockdown has revealed Chelsea are one of the most improved teams in terms of our points-per-game difference.

The study, which analysed the result of the 140 Premier League games played behind closed doors since 17 June and compared them to the last 140 games prior to that date, found the Blues had enjoyed the fourth-best improvement in points behind Aston Villa, Southampton and West Ham.

Chelsea improved by an average of 0.5 points per game, going up from 1.36 before the lockdown to 1.86 since the resumption.

Villa, who were in deep relegation trouble before the pandemic but are now second in the table, enjoyed the biggest uptick of 0.8 points as they improved from 0.77 to 1.57 points, while Southampton were second after picking up 0.72 extra points and West Ham were third on 0.57.

Liverpool were second from last in the table after seeing their points-per-game drop by 0.86 while Sheffield United were at the bottom after seeing their average go down by 0.91 points

Aina pleased with Loftus-Cheek reunion

Ola Aina has told Fulham’s official website he is delighted to be playing alongside former Chelsea youth team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek once again after the pair joined the Cottagers on loan for the season.

Aina left Stamford Bridge to join Torino on a permanent basis in 2019 but has been sent on loan by the Serie A side to Fulham for the 2020/21 campaign.

After retuning to London, he soon discovered he would be joined by a familiar face as Loftus-Cheek also arrived at the club on loan from Chelsea.

‘When I saw it on Sky, I texted him and I didn't get a reply for a couple of hours so I just put two and two together - he's definitely here so that was good,’ said Aina.

‘Literally [I have spent] most of my life with Ruben and I know how Ruben likes to play, I know what type of passes he likes.

‘It was kind of familiar and comfortable just having Ruben there on the right side a little bit, it was good as well, it was a good feeling.’

Poyet linked with Palmeiras job

A report from Brazil indicates Gustavo Poyet could soon be returning to management after the former Chelsea midfielder was linked with the head coaching position at Sao Paulo side Palmeiras.

The Uruguayan has not managed a club since he left French outfit Bordeaux in 2018 but Brazilian sports website Esporte Interativo indicates he is a strong candidate to take charge of Palmeiras after they parted company with Vanderlei Luxemburgo last week.

According to the report, the Palmeiras board is considering Poyet along with Miguel Angel Ramirez, the Spanish coach of Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, and Guillermo Schelotto, the Argentinian manager of MLS side LA Galaxy.

Luxemburgo led Palmeiras to success in the Sao Paulo state championship earlier this year but was dismissed after a run of three straight losses in Serie A saw the team drop to eighth place and out of the qualifying spots for next season’s Copa Libertadores.