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

Chelsea eye swoop for Tielemans

Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans has reportedly rejected a contract renewal at the East Midlands club, putting clubs including Chelsea on ‘red alert’.

The Belgian midfielder has impressed since he moved to the Foxes from Monaco in 2019, famously netting the winner as Leicester lifted the FA Cup last season.

A report in The Sun suggests that numerous clubs could capitalise on the 24-year-old's uncertainty over extending his stay at the King Power.

‘Leicester wanted to get a contract sorted before he featured for Belgium at the Euros but the player's camp put talks on hold,’ says the report.

‘Reports suggest he is still not ready to commit - because he wants to be playing regular Champions League football.

‘That means Premier League rivals United, Chelsea and Liverpool could swoop.

‘All three have been linked with Tielemans in the past, with the 47-cap ace seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Gini Wijnaldum at Anfield.’

Makelele pays a visit to Palace

Chelsea legend Claude Makelele was welcomed to the Crystal Palace training ground last week to run a session alongside manager Patrick Vieira.

The Frenchman is a technical mentor at the Blues, spending time reporting on some of the club’s loan players and with Conor Gallagher impressing in South London, Makelele paid a visit.

A story in Football.London reports that the former Chelsea number four still gets on well with Palace boss Patrick Vieira, after their playing days for the French national team.

‘Last week, ahead of Palace's Premier League match against Arsenal, Makelele came to Palace's training compound in Beckenham ran a session for the first team alongside Vieira,' explains the media report.

‘Makelele and the Eagles boss know each other from their time spent with the France national team, where they shared the pitch 45 times together for the senior side.

‘Now the duo have linked back up at Palace, where Vieira took over as manager in the summer and has since helped transform the team into one that plays fast-paced, possession-based football.’

Giroud names best Chelsea team-mate

Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has revealed who he believes the most talented team-mate in the Chelsea squad was, during his three years in SW6.

The Frenchman left the club in the summer for AC Milan, after winning three trophies with the Blues, including the Champions League in May.

In an interview with Tribal Football, cited by the Mirror, the ex-Blues player revealed the best team-mate he had at Stamford Bridge and it's no surprise to see who he selected.

‘One of the best players I played with at Arsenal was Santi Cazorla. And at Chelsea, Eden Hazard, and there were so many young talented players at Chelsea as well,’ Giroud said.

‘Mason and Kai Havertz, different class, different quality, and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow up and become top players.’

‘Giroud believes the versatile playmaker is still under-appreciated given his quality and tipped him to add more honours to his Champions League winners' medal in the years to come.

‘Yeah, maybe, but you don’t need to listen to these people,’ said Giroud when asked if Mount is underrated.

‘Mason has got that quality and mentality to go very high, I’ve told him. He deserves to be successful, definitely.’