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

Giroud talks about his Chelsea exit

Former Blues striker Olivier Giroud has spoken about his Chelsea exit this summer.

Featuring on talkSPORT breakfast yesterday, Giroud highlighted the challenges that came with leaving Stamford Bridge after a successful three years at the club.

‘It was emotionally difficult to leave when I left Montpellier and Arsenal, but even more tough [at Chelsea] because I didn’t play the last three months so it was evidence for me to leave and go for another challenge,’ he told talkSPORT.

‘I felt frustrated a little bit to not play the last three months because I contributed well to the Champions League success by finishing top scorer for the team.

‘But what can I say? We were so successful and I am so pleased with the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League. I scored a few important goals.’

Giroud scored a total of 39 goals for the Blues, including 11 goals in 15 games in our Europa League triumph in 2018/19.

‘It was tough to leave Chelsea and the Premier League but at the end of the day I think it was the best solution for me.’

The Frenchman has started his career at AC Milan with two goals in his first three Serie A appearances.

Kante spotted in Pizza Express

Blues favourite N’Golo Kante has been spotted enjoying a meal at Pizza Express.

An employee of the restaurant chain took to TikTok to show their excitement of meeting the Chelsea midfielder.

‘He ordered a classic Veneziana and a strawberry lemonade,’ the caption reads.

‘The Chelsea ace, casually dressed in jeans and a black jumper, made his waiter's days as he posed for selfies at the Italian high street chain,’ a story in The Sun states.

‘He then appeared to sign a napkin and posed for photos with the staff.’

John Mikel Obi on life as a young Chelsea player

John Mikel Obi has spoken about his move to Chelsea in 2006 and what life was like as a young footballer for the Blues.

Speaking to The Athletic, the Nigerian opened up on his career in which the majority was spent at Stamford Bridge in an 11-year stint with the Blues.

‘Suddenly, I was sharing a dressing room with all these players I had watched on television back in Africa,’ he says in the interview. ‘I was sitting next to Lassana Diarra. I’d be there thinking, "Oh my God, it’s Didier Drogba. It’s Frank Lampard. It’s John Terry".

‘Michael Essien (who joined from Lyon in the summer of 2005) really helped me. Michael always told me I was a good player and just reminded me to bring the ball down, control and pass. If you need to dribble, dribble. If you don’t need to, just pass. You are strong. You are fast, too. If you can, just push the ball past and run, run, run because they cannot catch you.

‘He was the guy who really helped me and made me have a lot of confidence.

‘When I chose Chelsea, it wasn’t just my life that changed,’ adds Mikel. ‘There were four lives that changed. Why? Because if I didn’t, Chelsea might not have anything to do with my three friends.

‘I didn’t just make the decision for myself. I thought about them, I thought about their families.’