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

Essien impressed by Lampard

Michael Essien has opened up on how impressed he’s been by his former team-mate Frank Lampard’s managerial career.

Speaking to TalkSport, the former Chelsea midfielder admitted to being surprised Lampard became a manager despite possessing all the qualities.

‘He was one of the leaders in the dressing room,’ he said. ‘I didn’t see that he would end up becoming a manager. Knowing Frank, he’s very quiet and calm and does his thing.’

Essien enjoyed a successful career with Lampard at Stamford Bridge, they won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and one Champions League title.

Knowing the expectations of the job, Essien believes Lampard’s first season with the transfer ban showed how good of a coach he can become.

‘Yes, I have been impressed because Chelsea is not an easy place to go as a manager or player.

‘His first year he wasn’t allowed to make a lot of signings, but he still managed to do well. It’s a big credit to him and hopefully, they will do even better this season.’

Gilmour ready for comeback

Billy Gilmour has expressed his desire to get back to first-team action at Chelsea after returning to training this week.

Gilmour was impressive in the 11 appearances he made for Chelsea before his injury and has spoken about the journey of leaving Rangers after eight years to come to London.

Speaking on the Four Lads Had A Dream Podcast, and as reported by goal.com Gilmour gave details of why the route through the Chelsea Academy was attractive to him and how he felt that he had the tools to make it at Chelsea.

‘I have always said that my dream was to play in the Premier League and I got one step closer by signing with Chelsea,’ he said.

‘You see the youth players coming through at Chelsea now – like Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori – and they have won the FA Youth Cup seven times in the last 10 years.

‘It's incredible, the youth set up is amazing and I just had to take the next step in my career and go challenge myself again.’

Gilmour underwent knee surgery towards the end of last season and is slowly getting back to full fitness, he has set himself a target of after the international break.

He believes last season’s success has silenced all those who were dubious of the move to London from Rangers.

‘They said I was just going to be missing. But I wanted to follow my dream and if I had never done it, I would have regretted it.

‘I took the chance, I worked hard and I came down here and believed in myself and my own ability to go to the top and play against these top players.

Cole praises Mendy performances

Our win against the French side came courtesy of two Timo Werner penalties and a Tammy Abraham strike at the near post to finish the fixture off. After the game, Joe Cole took a moment to appreciate the impact of new goalkeeper Mendy.

‘This guy Mendy has come in and he looks assured,’ Cole said speaking on BT Sport, and as reported in football.london. ‘You know when you have got a good goalkeeper behind you.’

Mendy has now kept six clean sheets in his first seven games, mirroring what Petr Cech achieved when he signed from Rennes in 2004.

‘Like with good centre-halves, you don’t want to be seeing them making last-ditch tackles. He just seems to make good, steady saves in easy fashion.

‘So far he has been steady and it looks like the defence enjoys playing with him behind them.’