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

Warburton tips Gilmour for greatness

Former Rangers manager Mark Warburton has told the Daily Mail Billy Gilmour has the potential to develop into a genuinely world-class midfielder for Chelsea and Scotland.

Warburton was in charge of the Scottish side from 2015 to 2017 and watched the development of the youngster before he moved south to join the Blues.

‘He had trained with us a couple of times in the first team and I am really pleased to see how he is doing now,’ said Warburton who is now manager of Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

‘What a talent. I think Scotland have a future world-class midfield player, I really do. I think he is going to keep on improving because he is in a great environment with Frank and Jody (Morris) and the players at Chelsea.

‘I very much hope he can continue that progress because, if so, Scotland truly will have a world-class midfield player there.’

Gilmour impressed in central midfield in Chelsea’s wins against Liverpool and Everton just before the lockdown but Warburton said he was not surprised to see the teenager flourishing despite his slender size.

‘His talent was unquestioned. I remember he played against what was a Dundee reserve side with a number of first-team players in it,’ he recalled.

‘I’m looking at Billy who was 15 and thinking there is a health-and-safety issue here because he was so slight. But he went out and absolutely ran the show.’

Wright-Phillips backs Blues to be challengers

According to TalkSport, Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Chelsea will be in a position to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.

With Hakim Ziyech set to arrive at Stamford Bridge and speculation the Blues are set to strengthen in other areas on the pitch, the former Chelsea winger is expecting big things of Frank Lampard’s side.

‘Yes, definitely,’ said Wright-Phillips when asked if the Blues would be title contenders. ‘I think next year if he (Lampard) gets the players that he wants and get his team exactly as he wants it, then 100%.

‘They are still challenging for the Champions League spots now, so it’s only one step further forward, and that is challenging against Man City and Liverpool, who have run away with it this year.’

Having watched Ziyech in action for Ajax, Wright-Phillips also expects the Moroccan to have a big impact at Stamford Bridge.

‘He brings that attacking flair, he scores goals and he creates goals,’ he said.

‘We have seen him do it in the Champions League, and now other wingers and other midfielders have to up their game because there is a lot of competition there. Having a lot of players on top of their game can only be a good thing for Lamps for and for Chelsea.’

Leicester could reduce Chilwell fee

According to the Evening Standard, Leicester City could be prepared to lower their asking price for Ben Chilwell because of his reported desire to join Chelsea.

While the England left-back has been heavily linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge, the Foxes are reportedly looking for a high transfer fee similar to the one they received for Harry Maguire before the start of this season.

‘The midlands club were holding out for a similar fee to the £80million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer, but given Chilwell's desire to move to west London and the impact of the coronavirus on the transfer market, could be forced to accept closer to Chelsea's £50million valuation of the 23-year-old,’ states the report.

‘The Foxes are still in a strong bargaining position given that Chilwell is contracted until 2024, but have begun looking at replacements for the full-back, including former Chelsea man Ryan Bertrand.

Leicester's acceptance that Chilwell will likely depart, as well as their stance that they are comfortable with letting one high profile player go per summer, as was the case with Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire in previous years, means there is a deal to be done for Chelsea.’