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

Blues reportedly bid for Chiesa

The Daily Mail has reported that Chelsea have made a significant offer for Italian forward Federico Chiesa.

The 23-year-old is currently halfway through a two-year loan spell at Juventus from Fiorentina, at the end of which the Turin club have an obligation to sign him for a reported £34m.

Chiesa was one of the stars of Euro 2020 for the Azzurri, featuring in all seven games at the tournament and scoring twice as Roberto Mancini’s men lifted the trophy. He netted eight times in 30 appearances for the Old Lady last term and is expected to remain a key figure under new boss Max Allegri.

The Blues are said to be keen on bolstering their attacking options and the Daily Mail report, citing German newspaper Bild, indicates that an approach has been made but rebuffed.

‘While Chelsea have submitted an offer in the region of £85m, the Serie A giants have declined to enter negotiations for Chiesa and have dismissed the offer out of hand,’ it states.

Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping an eye on the Genoa-born star, with Bild quoting their new manager Julian Nagelsmann as having recently commented: ‘He’s good but expensive. He is a super player because he embodies incredible verve and dynamism.

‘I’ve known him for a long time and he’s so carefree, likes to dribble and looks for the finish very quickly but he also had a very, very big price tag.’

Atsu defends Blues transfer

In an interview with the Athletic reported by Goal, former Chelsea attacker Christian Atsu has defended his 2013 switch from Porto to London, insisting ‘it was the right decision that I made.’

The 29-year-old, currently out of contract after four years at Newcastle United, did not make a competitive appearance for the Blues during his time at the club amid stiff competition for places but has no doubts it was the correct move for his career.

‘If someone tells me this road is wrong, they must know what would have happened if I’d stayed at Porto,’ he told the Athletic. ‘Would I be at a big European club now? Maybe, but nobody can tell me that for certain. If Chelsea want to sign you, how can you say no?

‘I believed I could make it at Chelsea so I went there. It didn’t happen but that does not make it a bad move.’

The Ghana international is now looking for his next move, which is likely to be outside of England.

‘I am weighing up my options,’ he added. ‘I would prefer it to be warm weather but we’ll see. I’ve loved being in England and I have offers from here but I think I need to move away.’

Baxter backs loans as key to his rise

Nathan Baxter’s recent loan to Championship side Hull City was his seventh temporary move in five years yet the young goalkeeper believes gaining experience in senior football has been key to his rise.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post following his switch to the Tigers, Baxter reflected on his start in non-league at the age of 17 and how he has consistently performed well to continue progressing through the pyramid.

‘I was Yeovil’s youngest ever captain in the league at 19 and I don’t think I would have been able to do that if I hadn’t played senior football at the age I have,’ he said.

‘There are not many goalkeepers who have played at the level I have at that age and those who have done that have tended to have big careers.

‘That doesn’t give me any right that I am going to go on and do that so each time I step up to a new level, I have to prove I am good enough to.’

The 22-year-old also cited his strong mentality as one of his most important attributes, a strength developed through his many loan spells.

‘Most people who have worked with me in the game will see that my mentality is one of my biggest assets as a goalkeeper,’ he added. ‘That has come from playing senior football at such a young age.’