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

Gilmour makes Carrow Road debut

Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour has praised the Norwich City fans’ support after making his first appearance at Carrow Road.

The Scot spoke to the club’s website after his fantastic display in their pre-season friendly win against Gillingham.

‘It was an amazing feeling,’ he said. ‘Fans are back and honestly, it was so loud. When we were scoring and the fans were celebrating, there is no better feeling.

‘It makes me excited for the Liverpool game in a couple of weeks. It is a big fixture to start the season and hopefully, we can continue our positivity into that.’

The 20-year-old believes he has settled into life at Norwich and is continuing to build an understanding with the players.

‘I am loving it,’ he added. ‘All the boys are good with me. I have settled in quickly.

‘It is a good bunch of boys, and you can see from what we showed out on the pitch that we have a good understanding already.’

Pundit praises Blues

Radio host Simon Jordan believes the Blues are the team to beat this season after our Champions League triumph in May.

Speaking on TalkSport, Jordan also praised Thomas Tuchel for the work he has done since becoming head coach.

‘Everyone will be focusing on Chelsea,’ the radio host said. ‘They are the real team. I think they can challenge if it’s a duopoly between Manchester City and Liverpool.

‘Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win the league.’

The Blues will start our first full season with our German head coach when we face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in a few weeks. Jordan has also admitted to being a big fan of Tuchel.

‘I just think he’s the real deal,’ he added. ‘I think the players get him and I think he doesn’t muck about. He put it together.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Chelsea are close to winning the Premier League this year.’

Leboeuf on playing with Desailly

Former Blues centre-back Frank Leboeuf has given insight into the experience of playing next to his fellow countryman Marcel Desailly.

Speaking on ESPN FC, the Frenchman also broke down the different roles centre-backs must take when playing at the back.

‘It was easy to play with the team-mates that I had,’ the former Blue said. ‘The only one where it was more difficult was with Desailly.

‘It was because of his career, his character and I was covering him most of the time.’

Leboeuf believes it’s important for centre-back pairings to know who’s going to be commanding the defence and which player will act as a sweeper. The Frenchmen played at Stamford Bridge together for three seasons.

‘Some defenders are more defensive, and they like to have the strikers in front of them and others like me were more like the sweepers,’ he added.

‘The sweeper is more the leader of the defence so with Desailly I was able to command him and ask him to do stuff.’