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

Blues linked with Kalajdzic

According to The Athletic, Chelsea are currently eyeing Austrian striker Sasa Kalajdzic.

The report states that the striker, standing at six foot seven inches, is a name that’s on Thomas Tuchel’s radar after an impressive Euro 2020 competition for Austria. The Blues have been continuously linked with top strikers around Europe all summer as we look to build on our Champions League triumph.

‘Stuttgart, who haven’t been approached by Chelsea yet, will take a lot of persuading to cash in on the 24-year-old,’ the report states.

‘The German Bundesliga club have already raised £34 million in sales this summer, which was their target set before the market opened.’

The Austrian was very impressive for Stuttgart last season, scoring 17 goals and picking up six assists in 36 games for his club.

The report also states that the Blues are eyeing the possibility of signing Southampton’s Danny Ings, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Zola on coaching

Gianfranco Zola has opened up on his stint as an assistant coach at Chelsea under Italian boss Maurizio Sarri.

Writing in Coaches’ Voice, the Italian reflected on that season which saw him clinch the Europa League and a top-four finish at Stamford Bridge.

‘Chelsea is and always will be my team,’ Zola said. ‘So, when I got the opportunity to go back there, I couldn’t say no.

‘Chelsea is where I enjoyed myself the most. I enjoyed my football more than anywhere else, so going back as a coach was great. I wasn’t going there as the head coach, but it was still unbelievably exciting.’

In that season with Sarri, the Blues won 40 of our 63 games, picking up a win percentage of 63.5 per cent.

‘The main reason going back to Chelsea was so good though, was the fans,’ he added. ‘They were fantastic – just as I expected – and they always will be to me. It was very special.

‘It was a pleasure to me to be back at Stamford Bridge with them and to create more memories with them.’

Jorginho tipped for Ballon d’Or

Blues midfielder Jorginho has been receiving plenty of praise after his history-making season for club and country.

According to former England striker Dean Ashton, the midfielder should be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or.

‘N’Golo Kante was definitely on the list before Euro 2020,’ he said to TalkSport. ‘Jorginho should be as well.

‘Whether the people who are deciding it look in as much depth as you need to just understand how good Jorginho is, how important he is to Chelsea, how important he is to Italy, that’s just another thing.‘

The Italian finished off his fantastic season by adding a Euro 2020 winner’s medal to his Champions League triumph.

In the competition, he covered the most distance (86.5 km) and was ranked third in players with the most passes and highest success rate with passes in the opposition half.

‘If you look in depth at Jorginho, he is so important,’ Ashton added.

‘What he does for the side, both defensively and offensively, is so vital to Chelsea and Italy lifting trophies.’