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

Alaba considers Blues move

According to reports in the Sun, Chelsea are among a four-club shortlist drawn up for David Alaba’s next club.

The Austrian has spent his entire career at Bayern Munich but after negotiations over a new contract fell apart, it is reported that the defender could be leaving, with Stamford Bridge as one of his options.

Alaba’s deal expires next summer, the report says, meaning he’ll be free to negotiate with other teams from the start of January.

The player's agent Pini Zahavi has reportedly written up a shortlist, with the Blues among the four clubs.

Frank Lampard will be looking to add more experience into his young and exciting team as Alaba has won plenty of trophies in his career.

At Bayern, he has won nine Bundesliga titles, six German cups and the Champions League twice. His versatility of playing at left-back or centre-back is also invaluable.

Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also rumoured to be interested but with the financial situation due to the pandemic, many are still uncertain.

Cole stands up for Havertz

Former Blues attacker Joe Cole has backed Kai Havertz stating that the criticism he has been subjected to has been unfair.

Cole, who won two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, believes that the best is still to come from the German and suspects that this is still part of the 21-year-old settling in a new environment.

‘The criticism has not been fair because when you do go into a different culture, with different team-mates, style of play and training, it can be tough,’ Cole said on BT Sport, which was also repeated on goal.com.

‘But the talent is unquestionable. He is widely regarded as one of the best young players in Europe.’

The German has had eight goal contributions (four goals and four assists) in his first 15 games in all competitions for Chelsea but his progress was hindered when he contracted the Coronavirus. Since returning he has kept building where he left off.

‘He’s had his injury difficulties. He had the Coronavirus that set him back, but my feeling is that the cream will always rise to the top and he’s a top player,’ the former winger said.

‘We’ve seen it in flashes and as the season moves on, that will get more and more consistent.’

Carragher analyses Chelsea squad

Speaking on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, Carragher drew up two Chelsea line-ups and acknowledged how many good players were brought in during the summer.

‘In these early stages of the season, it looks like they’ve recruited well,’ the former Liverpool defender said.

‘You can make an argument that it’s as strong a squad as anyone in the Premier League.’

Even though Manchester City and Liverpool are still a big threat, he believes this Chelsea side has quality players that can come in if injuries happen.

‘In terms of back-up players right now and other teams getting injuries – certainly Liverpool – that strength of a squad is absolutely fantastic and it doesn’t feel like the team would be weakened too much no matter who was playing.’