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

Ex-Blues boss close to Premier League return

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is reportedly close to being announced as the new Tottenham Hotspur boss.

The Italian steered the Blues to the Premier League title in the 2016/17 season and won the FA Cup the following campaign, and is returning back to England’s top tier, according to widespread reports.

Tottenham parted company with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Monday after 17 matches and four months at the club, and are looking to make a swift appointment.

In a story in The Guardian, reports suggest Conte has been offered an 18-month contract in north London.

‘Tottenham are in advanced talks with Antonio Conte over their manager’s job after sacking Nuno Espírito Santo, with the Italian understood to be close to accepting their offer of a contract to June 2023,’ The Guardian report states.

‘Conte and his representatives are in London to continue discussions and on Monday afternoon the paperwork was being prepared by Spurs to confirm the appointment.

‘Conte is generally averse to taking a job midway through a season but made it known he would make an exception for Manchester United if Ole Gunnar Solskjær were sacked and Spurs believe they have convinced him to take the same view of their offer.

‘The chairman, Daniel Levy, also a target for fans’ anger on Saturday, and Paratici held talks after the United game before concluding a change was imperative.’

Kepa and Mendy are the best duo in the Premier League, says Bettinelli

Blues goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has spoke glowingly about the spirit in the Chelsea camp and his goalkeeping colleagues Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edou Mendy, in an interview with The Athletic.

The goalkeeper joined the Blues last summer, having been on the books at west London rivals Fulham since 2010.

‘As a No 1 and No 2, I don’t think there is any better in the Premier League. You have David de Gea and Dean Henderson at Manchester United, but I believe Mendy and Kepa are better than them,’ Bettinelli told The Athletic.

‘They are mates. Both of them are super competitive. They push each other but in the right way.

‘In football, everyone wants to play. Of course there is that rivalry — Kepa wants to get a game and Edou wants to keep the No 1 shirt — but we are all in this together.

‘They are on another level. Sometimes it is hard not to get down because I watch them and they’re so good in goal,' said Bettinelli.

‘You obviously look at yourself. They make some fantastic saves that you aspire to make — that’s in training as well as in matches.

‘They are both so different. Kepa is one of the best technically I’ve seen and Edou is just unbelievable at keeping the ball out of the net.’

Clean sweep of Blues defenders in WhoScored Team of the Month

Four Blues defenders have made the WhoScored October Team of the Month, thanks to our impressive Premier League form.

Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell make up the back four, whilst Mateo Kovacic earned a place in the midfield.

Chelsea played four and won four in October, scoring a huge 14 goals but conceding just the once (a penalty).

Goals from defence have also played a part, with seven of these 14 goals being scored by ‘defenders’, including our wing-backs.

‘Reece James was exceptional for the Blues in October. The 21-year-old soared to the top of the Blues scoring charts, netting three times last month, hitting the back of the net with three of five shots,’ a report on WhoScored’s official website states.

‘James was unfortunate not to add an assist having made five key passes.

‘Trevoh Chalobah scored his second league goal for Chelsea in their 3-1 win over Southampton to kick off the month, while a total of 11 tackles was also a solid return.

‘Chelsea teammate Thiago Silva joins Chalobah at the heart of the defence having garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.24 last month. The experienced Brazilian returned the second best pass success rate (92.2%) of defenders.

‘It's an all-Chelsea defence as Ben Chilwell makes the cut at left-back. Chilwell has excelled after reclaiming his place in the Chelsea side at the expense of Marcos Alonso as he hit the back of the net three times in his four league outings in October.

‘Six key passes was a commendable return for the England international and while he was unlucky not to register an assist, the 24-year-old did enough to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.74.’

Kovacic’s inclusion means five of the starting XI in WhoScored’s side are Chelsea players.

‘A total of eight key passes ranked among the top 10 in the Premier League in October, while 11 tackles was respectable to help Kovacic secure a place in the XI.’