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

Aina to join Fulham?

Sky Sports reports Ola Aina could be returning to west London to join Fulham on loan, just a year after the Nigeria international defender left Chelsea for Torino on a permanent move.

The Chelsea Academy graduate spent a season on loan at the Serie A club in 2018/19 and signed for the club on a permanent basis after they took up an option on him in June 2019.

The 23-year-old appeared in 37 matches and netted 3 goals for Torino last season but now appears to be on his way out of Italy.

‘The ex-Chelsea youngster is set to join the Cottagers on an initial season-long loan, with the deal expected to be completed by the middle of the week,’ states the report.

‘Fulham will have the option to make Aina's loan a permanent transfer for a figure in the region of £11m.

‘Former England youth international Aina is a graduate of Chelsea's academy and spent over a decade at the club. He spent the 2017-18 campaign away on loan at Hull before making a season-long loan move to Torino the following year.’

Mikel delights Potters faithful

According to the Stoke Sentinel, former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is making a good impression on fans of his new club Stoke City ahead of the start of the new season.

The Potters have struggled since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2018, finishing in the lower reaches of the Championship during the past two seasons.

However, Mikel’s summer arrival as a free agent and their 1-0 win over Newcastle United in a friendly last weekend has given their fans some confidence for the 2020/21 campaign

‘He’s a player that plays in a crucial role,’ said one Potters fan on the paper’s Facebook page.

‘We have needed a ball winner that can pass a ball for a number of seasons. Class never leaves just a player's pace, Mikel has never relied on pace so his age won’t be a problem.

‘Keeping fit could be a factor, if we manage to do that.’

Added another fan: ‘He’s been there and done it in the game and appears to want to be at the club as he turned down other offers.

‘As long as he can stay fit his class as a player and by all accounts also as a person can only be a good thing!’

Said one more: ‘He is a winner a true professional he will do the job most players don’t like sit in front of the back four and cover everyone like Glen Whelan did.’

Blues interested in Brozovic?

A report in Italy suggests Chelsea could look to sign Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, states sportwitness.co.uk.

Brozovic has spent the past five seasons at Inter and has said he has no intention of leaving the Serie A club.

However, there are indications his time could be up at the club as they look to raise funds to bring in new players.

‘The 27-year-old appears expendable,’ states the report.

‘Corriere dello Sport believe both Chelsea and Bayern Munich “would be interested” in him should he be made available to clubs around the world and are “on his trail” as things stand.’