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

Ajax boss like the look of Champions League group

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has told Dutch daily De Telegraaf he likes the look of his side’s Champions League group after they were placed with Chelsea in Group H in the draw on Thursday,

The Eredivisie champions face the Blues, Spanish Copa del Rey holders Valencia and French Ligue 1 runners-up Lille in a group which ten Hag feels is fairly well balanced.

‘It is a group that, on paper at least, has a good look,’ said the Ajax boss, who led his side to the Champions League semi-finals last season,.

‘Last year we had a group with Bayern Munich as the clear favourites and AEK Athens who were not as strong.

‘This year we have a group in which anyone can beat anyone, as the teams are quite equal. Making it to at least the Europa League was probably easier last season.’

Ten Hag believes the strong competition his group rivals face in their domestic leagues may put them in better shape than Ajax for the Champions League with Chelsea likely to pose the biggest challenge to his side.

‘Chelsea is the favourite in our group,’ he added. ‘The Premier League is a competition with the highest intensity. There a tempo is played that we are not used to. We will have to resist that.

‘The Spanish competition is known for its technical skills and the French league for its physicality.’

Southgate keeping tabs on Abraham

Tammy Abraham may have missed out on a call-up to the senior England squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers but according to Goal.com, Gareth Southgate is keeping an eye on the Chelsea striker for a possible call-up in the future.

Abraham played in friendlies against Germany and Brazil in November 2017 but he was not included in Southgate’s 25-man squad for the matches against Bulgaria and Kosovo in September.

While the omission of the 21-year-old was notable after his two-goal performance in last weekend’s victory at Norwich, Southgate revealed he was being considered for a future recall.

‘Tammy is one of a number of players who have either started the season well or we know well from our junior teams,’ said the England manager.

‘This squad can look different over the next months,’ he added.

Despite making two appearances for the Three Lions, Abraham is still eligible to play for Nigeria as he has yet to play in a competitive international game for England.

Kenedy linked with Serie A side

Kenedy could be heading out on loan again with the Daily Mail reporting the Brazilian is set to join Italian side Sassuolo.

Citing a report by Sky Sports Italia, the Daily Mail said the Serie A outfit are looking to secure a season-long deal for the Chelsea player.

‘The Italian club are in need of reinforcements at left-back after Rogerio suffered an injury and have turned to the Brazilian,’ said the Mail of the versatile 23-year-old.

‘While he was named on the bench for the opening day loss at Manchester United and subsequent Super Cup defeat by Liverpool, Kenedy is yet to make a competitive appearance under Lampard.’