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

Cole looks likely to retire

The BBC is reporting that Chelsea legend Ashley Cole could be about to retire as a player after the 38-year-old was not offered a new contract by Derby County.

The former England left-back moved to Pride Park on a short-term deal in January and indicated at the time that he would probably stop playing at the end of the season.

He made 12 appearances for Derby, including the Championship play-off final against Aston Villa, when he replaced the suspended Scott Malone for a 2-1 defeat which saw the Rams miss out on a spot in next season’s Premier League.

Cole was one of five players released by Derby on Monday, along with former Portsmouth and Leicester striker David Nugent, as the Rams prepare for another Championship campaign next season.

Signed from Arsenal in 2006, Cole played 338 games for the Blues before moving abroad in 2014 for spells at Roma and Los Angeles Galaxy.

Cech shares his keys to a successful career

Chelsea legend Petr Cech believes that working hard and showing humility are important if you want to reach the top in your career.

The recently retired goalkeeper, who left to join Arsenal in 2015, is looking ahead to new challenges after deciding to hang up his gloves following the Gunners’ 4-1 loss to the Blues in the Europa League final

And speaking to Arsenal’s official website, he revealed that working hard was the secret to his success during his 20-year playing career.

‘I think everything goes down to work,’ said the Czech. ‘You can have as much talent as you want, you can have so many opportunities from people around you, but if you don’t work hard and you are not prepared to take them, your career can take a completely wrong direction or never kick off. I will say everything goes down to work and love for the game.

‘If you keep challenging yourself and you keep trying to get better, this is how you actually improve yourself and get better. I can tell you that at 37 years of age, at the end of my career I’m still learning and still improving every day because I actually work every day to get better.’

Cech also stressed the importance of humility in earning the respect of those around you.

‘If you are down to earth, you work hard for yourself and the team, then you are the guy who gives people confidence and people generally like you,’ he added.‘It probably brings the most out of you and out of your team-mates. In the moment you need their help, people will actually help you. I think sometimes we underestimate that.

‘In the moments when you career is going great and everybody is telling you how great you are, you need to keep your feet on the ground, actually keep working the same way and keeping working the same basics because this is the only way to be successful. ‘

Inter want to bring back Kovacic

Citing a report by Tuttosport, the Sun is suggesting that Inter Milan are keen to re-sign Mateo Kovacic, four years after allowing him to leave to join Real Madrid.

The Croatian spent two years at the San Siro after leaving Dinamo Zagreb and moved to Spain in 2015 but struggled to make an impact during his time at Real.

The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Chelsea, and while there has been discussion on him making a permanent switch to Stamford Bridge, Inter have now emerged as a potential destination for the midfielder following the recent appointment of Antonio Conte as their new manager.