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

Caballero set for new challenge

Former Chelsea Champions League winner and goalkeeper Willy Caballero is set to join Premier League side Southampton, according to The Athletic.

The Argentine is reportedly close to penning a short-term deal at St Mary's as a goalkeeping injury crisis has hit, with Alex McCarthy coming under scrutiny from boss Ralph Hassenhuttl at the weekend for playing on despite being injured.

‘Southampton are set to sign Willy Caballero on a short-term deal,’ the report states.

‘The former Manchester City and Chelsea goalkeeper has been without a club since the summer and will join the St Mary’s side as a free agent.

‘Both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster are injured and the club’s only alternative was to deploy Harry Lewis in goal against Arsenal.

‘But they couldn’t afford to go into a run of key matches with only one goalkeeper, which is why they moved for Caballero.

‘The 40-year-old Argentine has been training with AFC Wimbledon to keep himself fit and key figures at the club acted quickly to wrap up a deal on Sunday.

Caballero won three trophies in SW6, the Champions League, Europa League and also the FA Cup, to add to the EFL Cup he won whilst at Manchester City.

‘Caballero was keen to join as soon as he heard about the opportunity and one of the key attractions for Southampton was that his style will fit into the club’s goalkeeping playbook,’ the report continues.

‘McCarthy sustained a hamstring issue during the 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday, with Fraser Forster left out of the squad due to a muscle problem.’

Lamptey reveals Reece James inspiration

Former Chelsea player and Cobham graduate Tariq Lamptey has spoken of the form of Reece James and revealed how the Chelsea right wing-back helped aid his personal development.

Lamptey left the Blues in January 2020 for Brighton & Hove Albion despite making his first Chelsea appearance in the month prior, away to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Speaking to talkSPORT, cited by The Argus, the 21-year-old spoke of looking up to James, who was the year above him when coming through the Cobham ranks.

‘I was privileged to be in a good place where they allowed me to develop and I'm grateful to them,’ Lamptey said.

‘But I feel it was time to try and get regular game time and just try and take my game to the next level and keep developing.

‘When I was at Chelsea, Reece James was in the age group older than me. He was always giving me good advice. I'm happy to see him doing well and hopefully that continues.

‘There was a good academy at Chelsea and they give you the tools you need to try and develop your game.

‘It just so happens that they have a lot of players in that position but they've got boys all around that can take it to the next level.'

Lamptey also spoke of a Chelsea legend being his footballing idol growing up.

‘When I was a kid I liked watching Dani Alves and Ronaldinho, but I also loved watching Ashley Cole bomb up and down even though it was on the left flank,' added Lamptey. 'He had great energy and the technique he had was amazing.’

Ralf Rangnick on Tuchel’s ‘big achievement’

New interim Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has hailed the huge impact that his compatriot Thomas Tuchel has made nearly a year on from taking the Chelsea job.

The Red Devils announced the German’s arrival last week, with the new manager winning his first match in charge over Crystal Palace yesterday.

In a story by the Metro, Rangnick is quoted heaping praise on our head coach Thomas Tuchel, who he used to manage as a player at SSV Ulm.

‘To do what Thomas [Tuchel] did in four months at Chelsea was incredible,’ he said.

‘If anyone had told Marina [Granovskaia] or Roman [Abramovich] what would happen or they had looked into a crystal ball to see what would happen in the next four months, incredible.

‘To win the Champions League, finish fourth in the league, and now be towards the top of the league with almost the same players, is a big achievement.

‘I am not sure I can say that things will develop in the same way for me at Manchester United.’