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

Valencia consider Drinkwater loan

Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Valencia are interested in signing Danny Drinkwater on loan from Chelsea before the transfer window closes on 5 October.

Citing a report by Radio Esport Valencia, the website indicates the La Liga side are giving ‘serious consideration’ to the idea of bringing in the 30-year-old to reinforce their squad under new manager Javi Gracia, who was previously in charge of Watford.

‘Drinkwater is a hard-working midfielder who has the mentality to provide strength to the spine of the team throughout the match, a virtue which would suit Javi Gracia’s Valencia side,’ states the report.

The report suggests Drinkwater’s loan deal would not include a purchase option for the Spanish club.

Lamptey reportedly wanted by Bayern

According to The Sun, Bayern Munich want to sign former Chelsea full-back Tariq Lamptey from Brighton although their initial offer is well below the asking price of the Premier League side.

The teenager caught the attention of the German giants with his impressive start to the season which has featured three assists in as many matches for the south coast club.

Bayern are reportedly keen to do business before the transfer window closes next week.

‘German outlet SPORT1 reports the Seagulls are holding out for £23m for the former Chelsea youngster, with the Bundesliga champions offering just £14m,’ states the paper.

‘Right-back Lamptey, 19, has made a blistering start to the 2020-21 Premier League season and is being lined up as back-up to Benjamin Pavard in Bavaria.

‘However, the Champions League winners' boss Hansi Flick will have to act fast with the window closing on 5 October.’

Zola ranked one of Premier League’s best of the 90s

Gianfranco Zola has been listed in the top 10 of a ranking of the greatest Premier League players of the 1990s by 90min.com.

Zola made it to No7 on the list of 90s icons, which was topped by Eric Cantona, with Alan Shearer second and Peter Schmeichel in third place.

‘Just as Cantona defined the transformation of Manchester United from underachievers to imperious champions, Zola did the same for Chelsea,’ said 90min.com of the Italian wizard.

‘But while Cantona did so with an air of self-serving arrogance, laced with moments of controversy and madness, Zola went about his magical craft with an air of childlike charm and, of course, that wide grin.

‘The Italian was the poster boy for Chelsea's transition, a Premier League tactical revolutionary and undoubtedly one of the finest foreign exports to arrive on British shores.

‘Very few could make Sir Alex Ferguson envious but Gianfranco Zola did, and that's a testament to the Italian's nagging genius.’