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

Gudjohnsen not ready for Chelsea return

In an interview with Goal.com, Eidur Gudjohnsen has insisted he is not ready for a return to Chelsea as he continues in his role with the Iceland Under-21 side

‘If I said I was ready for it, I would be lying,’ said the former striker, who scored 78 goals in 263 appearances for the Blues.

‘I am just taking my first steps and I need to gain some experience. Eventually, what the future holds for me as a coach or manager is down to me and what effort I put into it.

‘There is always more to learn. The game is developing so fast and you have to be on top of everything. For the future, who knows? At this moment, it has not crossed my mind. I have just started this and I have had my first qualifiers with the team.

‘I have a lot to learn. I hope to go into something bigger in the future. I hope I get a big opportunity but I have to be ready for that step.’

But while he is not planning on a return to the Bridge in the near future, the 40-year-old is delighted to see the opportunities at the club for former Chelsea players like himself.

‘I think it is great to see others get the chance. It shows that ex-players have great respect from the club and the fans,’ said Gudjohnsen, who was a team-mate of Frank Lampard and Jody Morris during his spell with Chelsea from 2000 to 2006.

‘It is great that Chelsea are building this identity by bringing back ex-players. They are not only ex-players but they are people who really care for the club, who know what it means to be at Chelsea. It means a lot to them.’

Valencia dismiss manager ahead of visit to Chelsea

Valencia have parted company with head coach Marcelino, just six days before their Champions League visit to Stamford Bridge, the Guardian reports.

The Spanish club announced on Wednesday that former Spain Under-21s coach Albert Celades had taken charge of the team, following a breakdown in relations between Marcelino and club owner Peter Lim which had been brewing for a year.

‘Marcelino has been credited with bringing stability back to Valencia, a club with a propensity for infighting and crisis,’ stated the Guardian.

‘He led them to a Champions League place last season and to a Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona – their first trophy for 11 years, and in their centenary season. But his relationship with the club’s owner had become unbearably strained.

‘Over the last few months a barely concealed battle for control had become evident, with an open breakdown in relations between manager, general manager (Mateu Alemany) and owner. Marcelino had been publicly critical of the construction of the squad and the club’s failure to sign off on players for whom deals had been set up, particularly the Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.

‘Marcelino had the backing of supporters and both he and Alemany had threatened to walk away during the summer. That crisis was contained, continuity secured, but not for long. Marcelino’s press conferences were ever more challenging, his messages direct. At times he appeared to be almost daring the owner to take him on and sack him. At some point he was bound to do just that.’

Leno aims swipe at Blues and Spurs

The Mirror reports Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has taken a swipe at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur by claiming the Gunners are London’s premier club.

Speaking to German publication SportBild, the Gunners goalkeeper suggested the Gunners are the top side in the capital despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League for three consecutive seasons.

Asked to compare Arsenal with his previous club Bayer Leverkusen, Leno said: ‘You can’t compare that, of course Arsenal is a world club, THE club here in London.

‘Not Chelsea, not Tottenham – Arsenal is the club here with fans around the world. ‘No matter where we are, also in the USA or in Asia, there are many fans of Arsenal everywhere.’

Arsenal finished fifth behind Chelsea and Spurs in the Premier League last season and were beaten 4-1 by the Blues in the Europa League final.