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

Kessie keen on English move

According to the Daily Mail, reported Chelsea target Franck Kessie wants to sign for a Premier League club after turning down a contract extension offer from AC Milan.

With the 24-year-old's current deal running out at the end of this season, a decision is set to be made on his future by the January transfer window.

However, despite being a key player for Milan since he joined the club in 2017, the Ivory Coast midfielder appears to have rejected the latest contract offer from the Serie A club and is instead prioritising a move to England.

‘Kessie sees the style of play in the Premier League as suiting his game, and it is believed that Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are among the clubs keeping tabs on the situation,’ states the report.

‘It is likely he would also have suitors outside of England if he became a free agent, with PSG and Bayern Munich both enquiring about his availability in the past.

‘It's reported that while talks are currently not making progress, Milan's technical director Paolo Maldini has not yet given up hope of persuading Kessie to commit his future to the club.’

Drogba seeks to provide opportunities for African youth

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is continuing to make a strong international impact outside of football, teaming up with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to help build more opportunities for African youngsters, hospitalitynet.org reports.

To mark World Tourism Day on Monday, the former Blues striker signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Didier Drogba Foundation with the UNWTO to highlight the potential of African youth and ensure that both tourism and sport deliver on their potential to provide opportunities for all.

According to the report, the agreement recognizes that both sport and tourism can play a key role in advancing many of the Sustainable Development Goals, through promoting cooperation and understanding, as well as through creating frameworks for inclusive economic growth.

‘Didier Drogba is one of the most celebrated and decorated athletes of this century, and the work of the Didier Drogba Foundation is true to the goals of UNWTO – to provide opportunity to the women and youth of Africa and build a better future for the continent,’ said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

Drogba has been a UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism since 2019.

Ranieri in line for new job

Claudio Ranieiri turns 70 next month but according to Football-Italia.net, the former Chelsea manager may soon be back in management after being linked with Serie A side Bologna.

Ranieri has been out of management since he left Sampdoria at the end of last season but Bologna’s poor recent run of results has prompted discussion that he could soon replace Sinisa Mihajlovic at the northern Italian club.

‘Mihajlovic’s position at Bologna is uncertain and Ranieri has emerged as a candidate for the job,’ states the report.

‘The Rossoblu will enter a retreat ahead of the next match against Lazio and another negative result could prove costly for Mihajlovic.

‘The Serbian coach needs to turn things around quickly, as Bologna sit 11th in Serie A after six games, currently winless in three after a 4-2 defeat to Empoli.

‘Two weeks of international break follows the match against the Biancocelesti and it could provide a perfect time for the club to change coach.’