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

Murphy tips Tomori as England starter

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has told TalkSport he would make Fikayo Tomori a first-choice centre-back for England after watching his impressive progression at Chelsea this season.

Tomori was given his first senior England call-up last month but has yet to play his first game for the Three Lions after remaining on the bench against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

However, Murphy is a big admirer of the 21-year-old and feels he should be given an opportunity to play in the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Montenegro and Kosovo.

‘Can he defend? Yes. He’s quick enough, he’s decent in the air and he’s clever. Sometimes he steps in and tries to read the game or he drops off, he’s not predictable with his defending,’ said Murphy.

‘Also, he’s a really good passer of the ball. I saw him live for the first time playing for Derby last year, I watched him twice. I said to Frank, “What a player he is”, and Frank said he’s a real talent.

‘He’s just seamlessly transferred that form from the Championship to the Premier League, and at a time when Chelsea didn’t start the season well, he went into a team that was under pressure and it was no problem. He’s just adapted.

‘He scored that wondergoal at Wolves as well, which shows he has technical ability. I would play him. I like him; he’s calm and he’s never on his backside.’

Kerr’s Chelsea move analysed

The Guardian believes Sam Kerr’s decision to join Chelsea Women is ‘a watershed moment for women’s football’ which could see a push towards further investment by clubs and leagues in the sport.

According to the paper, the signing of the prolific Australian forward by the Blues will have a significant impact on the women’s game.

‘Naturally, the leaps that both Kerr and the game itself have experienced recently is now being reflected in the wider financial ecosystem,’ states the report.

‘The amount of money Kerr is expected to earn at Chelsea, on top of her new national team salary with the Matildas (Australia’s women’s national team) and her Nike sponsorship, will make her one of the game’s richest players.

‘Likewise, as clubs, leagues and federations around the world begin to invest in their women’s programs, top players are finally reaping the financial rewards for years of dedication and contribution to a sport that has rarely returned the favour.

‘Chelsea’s signing of Kerr should be widely regarded as a watershed moment for women’s football, but the bigger picture should not be overlooked: investment is needed across all levels of the game if it is to hit the heights it is capable of reaching.’

The paper believes her move to Chelsea is logical.

‘Within the global context of the women’s game, her destination makes perfect sense,’ it adds. ‘While many different clubs were vying for her signature, that it was Chelsea to secure it speaks not only to the moves England is making in the women’s space, but also to what Kerr herself wants to achieve during her time there.

‘Not only do Chelsea offer Kerr the almost-guaranteed opportunity of Champions League football, but the club is also a consistent title contender in the Women’s Super League.

‘She will be pushed to improve by virtue of her environment alone: consistently challenged by international-quality team-mates like Ji So-Yun, Fran Kirby, Maren Mjelde, Erin Cuthbert, and Magdalena Eriksson, and coached by one of the greats of the game in Emma Hayes.’

Sancho admires Blues duo

In an interview with the Independent, England winger Jadon Sancho named a couple of Chelsea legends on his list of the three players he looked up to most when he was younger.

A native of south London, Sancho played his youth football at Watford and Manchester City before he established himself as a star in Germany at Borussia Dortmund.

However, the 19-year-old revealed a bit of a soft spot for the Blues when he spoke of the players he admired most when he was honing his football skills as a youngster.

‘Ronaldinho was the main guy I used to watch on YouTube but I liked Frank Lampard quite a lot and Didier Drogba when they were playing for Chelsea,’ said Sancho.

‘They were the three players I looked up to.’