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

Chelsea narrowly missed out on Messi

A report by The Sun highlights how Chelsea reportedly attempted to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona in 2014.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were very keen on signing the Argentine but a deal ‘collapsed’.

‘It was not that close but Chelsea were really trying to sign Lionel Messi in 2014, with Jose Mourinho as the manager. They were really pushing to try and persuade Messi to join them,’ Romano said.

‘They [Chelsea] were contacting people close to Leo Messi, discussing with lawyers close to Messi to try to convince him for a new opportunity in the Premier League,’ the report states.

‘But then everything collapsed because Barcelona was something special for Lionel Messi,’ Romano continued.

‘He decided together with his family to stay in Catalonia and continue his experience with Barca.

‘Roman Abramovich wanted Leo Messi. He was seriously trying to sign Messi as the new star for Chelsea but the deal collapsed.’

Thiago Silva signing labelled ‘genius’

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has included Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva in his Team of the Week.

The 37-year-old produced another commanding and impressive performance at Turf Moor on Saturday as Chelsea beat Burnley 4-0.

The pundit believes the signing made in the summer of 2020 is ‘genius’.

‘Aaron Lennon had done brilliantly to get to the byline and pull the ball back for Wout Weghorst but the Burnley centre-forward's shot was kicked off the line by Thiago Silva,’ he wrote in his weekly column.

‘The defender's positioning on the goal line was absolutely perfect. Not only did he save Edouard Mendy, who looked like he had been caught out of position, but he enabled Chelsea to keep a clean sheet,’ he added.

‘Whoever's idea it was to bring Silva to Chelsea is a genius. The man is 37 years of age and looks like he could play in the Premier League until he's 40.’

Cole’s take on Burnley win

Joe Cole has heaped praise on Chelsea striker Kai Havertz and expressed his joy at seeing Reece James back on the pitch in the Premier League.

Speaking on BT Sport Score, quoted by the Express, the ex-Chelsea man offered his thoughts of Chelsea’s comfortable win at Burnley.

‘Chelsea just blew them out of the water, as you would expect with the quality they have on the pitch,’ Cole said.

‘Reece James, outstanding, can't sing his praises highly enough. I think Pulisic came into the game, Mason Mount came into the game, Havertz with two goals,’ he added.

‘I think he's better as a No 9, a false nine. He looked like a penalty-box player today which I feel he is. He comes alive and he'll score many [goals].’