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

Blues linked with young defender

The Sun reports Chelsea are considering a move in the January transfer window for Brighton defender Ben White, who has impressed on loan at Leeds United this season.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been a mainstay in defence for the Yorkshire club, who are currently second in the Championship, and reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea scouts.

‘Lamps will make a big offer for White as he looks for an extra defender now Chelsea have been cleared to spend after their FIFA transfer ban was cut,’ states the Sun’s report.

‘White has been a huge hit for Leeds with his skilful, ice-cool displays as they storm the Championship.

‘Chelsea have been watching him regularly and insiders reveal they are convinced he is worth buying - and is the main alternative to old boy Nathan Ake at Bournemouth.

‘Brighton do not want to lose White but a £25million offer may make it hard to resist, especially as he would also be tempted by a move to Stamford Bridge.’

White joined Brighton in 2014 as a 16-year-old and his current deal with the Seagulls runs until the summer of 2022.

Redknapp feels players need a break

In his column in the Daily Mail, Jamie Redknapp has suggested Chelsea’s young stars need to be given some time off in order to recharge their energies for the challenges ahead this season.

After watching the Blues lose 1-0 to Bournemouth on Saturday, the former England midfielder said too much pressure was being placed on the youngsters.

‘Mason Mount is 20, and Tammy Abraham is 22, and there has been such an emphasis on these two to be everything for Chelsea – to create, to score, to be their match-winners,’ said Redknapp.

‘They have been dynamite but to expect them to do all of that week in, week out in the world's most difficult division is unrealistic.’

Redknapp brought up his own experience in suggesting what the Blues could do to revitalise the young players.

‘When it comes to Mount, I wonder if he could benefit from a break. I remember when I was 19, I'd broken into the Liverpool team but was going through a rough patch,’ he recalled.

‘Graeme Souness was my manager at the time and he pulled me to one side at the training ground. He told me he was going to leave me out. I was fuming. I told him I wanted to play. What young footballer wouldn't?

‘I saw being dropped as an insult! But Graeme told me, calm as you like, "Listen, you need a break. You've had a lot of games".

‘I was upset but deep down I understood he was doing it for my benefit. I had my break, recharged the batteries and came back raring to go. So maybe that could help Mount, too.

‘He may disagree – like I did when Graeme told me he was taking me out of the team – but his manager will know what is best for him.’

Boga doesn’t regret Chelsea departure

According to Football Italia, Jeremie Boga feels he made the right decision to join Italian side Sassuolo two seasons ago despite watching some of his Chelsea youth team-mates make the step up to the senior squad this year.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine SportWeek, the 22-year-old admitted he has second-guessed his move to the Serie A club in the summer of 2018.

‘My teammates in the Chelsea youth team were Tammy Abraham, who is now the centre-forward of the senior squad, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Charly Musonda… we won the UEFA Youth League and the U21 Premier League,’ said the Ivory Coast international.

‘Every now and then, I wonder if I should’ve waited longer for my chance at Chelsea, but I had to play regularly and I was behind Hazard, Pedro and Willian in the pecking order. It’s not that they were better than me, but they were ahead in the hierarchy.

‘No, I have no regrets. Antonio Conte didn’t talk to me very much. When he gave me my debut against Burnley, all he said was: “It’s your turn.”’

Boga has four goals and two assists in 13 Serie A games so far this season.