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

Blues join Haaland chase

Chelsea have joined Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United in the chase for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

According to journalist Angelo Mangiante, the Norwegian striker is one of the top two most important transfer targets for the Blues this summer.

Haaland burst on the scene after his Champions League performances for RB Salzburg which got him an £18 million transfer to Dortmund. It is rumoured that the Dortmund attacker’s release clause is around £75 million.

The 2020 Golden Boy winner is currently out injured but has already scored 17 goals in 14 matches in all competitions this season.

The Leeds-born striker became the first player in the Champions League to score six goals in their first three games and holds the record for the most goals in a single Under-20 World Cup match (nine).

Poyet describes the rise of Chelsea

Chelsea could level Arsenal in total Premier League points if they beat the Gunners on Boxing Day.

This is a clear picture of the Blues’ progression and growth as a big force around Europe.

Gus Poyet who played for Chelsea between 1997 and 2001 revealed how tough it was to face Arsene Wenger’s side.

‘My record against them was terrible,’ he told the Athletic. ‘It was pure frustration. It hurt a lot. Something was not working.

‘They were a very good team, outstanding. They had everything. But they never replaced Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. They have never had a proper centre midfielder which made you think “Oh my, someone is having to play against this”.’

Poyet labelled this progression as “unbelievable” and that the rise of Chelsea has been phenomenal over the last 16 years. He believes the power shift was also down to the owner Roman Abramovich.

‘Chelsea are an example of how things progress, not just over one year, but over many years’ he said.

‘It took Roman Abramovich buying the club in 2003 and Jose Mourinho joining as a manager a year later to go to the next level.’

Diego Costa set to miss Chelsea clash

Former Blues striker Diego Costa is set to leave Atletico Madrid which will see him miss the Champions League fixtures against Chelsea in the round of 16.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 32-year-old will leave the Madrid-based side in January with six months left on his contract.

He has only featured seven times this season as he continues to struggle with a series of injuries. Atletico decided not to renew his contract which will make the striker a free agent.

Costa shared his excitement of facing Chelsea after the Champions League draw on Instagram when he replied to left-back Marcos Alonso’s picture.

The Spanish striker moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico in 2014. At Chelsea, he won the Premier League title twice in 2015 and 2017. He also has one League Cup to his name.