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

France boss on Giroud’s goals

France national team head coach Didier Deschamps believes Olivier Giroud has taken advantage of the opportunities given to him by Frank Lampard.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Deschamps also thinks it’s not ideal for the 34-year-old to play three times in a week.

‘I’m happy for him and I’m hoping it can last,’ the head coach said.

‘If Lampard decides to have him play three days a week, that’s not ideal either.

‘The happy medium is good, that he takes advantage of this ideal period for him. He is one of the best attackers at international level.’

The 34-year-old has been effective when called upon for the Blues this season. The Frenchman, reaching his 100th appearance for Chelsea recently, has netted seven times in all competitions and is averaging a goal every 52 minutes.

Deschamps admits this is one of the striker’s strong points. When he is on the pitch he is going to deliver.

‘When we call on him he scores and when he doesn’t score he is still useful,’ he said. ’It’s a much happier time for him, good for him.’

‘Everyone is free to think what they want. Just look at the number of goals he has scored.'

Leeds midfielder impressed by Blues duo

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips has branded Chelsea as the toughest opponents his team has faced this season.

Phillips spoke after our 3-1 victory against Leeds at Stamford Bridge where we played in front of our home fans for the first time since March.

‘As a team, they were very good,’ he said on BBC Radio Leeds. ‘They’ve got very good individuals that helped them take control of the game towards the second half.’

The England midfielder was impressed by ‘unbelievable’ N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount who commanded the midfield on the night.

‘I think Kante was unbelievable during that game, he was everywhere and didn’t look like he broke a sweat.

‘Any second ball that dropped he was there, any 50-50 he was there, he was at the right place at the right time.’

The midfielder spent time on international duty with Mount when they represented England and was wowed by the Cobham graduate.

‘We didn’t realise how good individually some of the players were. Mason Mount was unbelievable. I’ve said that from day one ever since I’ve trained with him and played against him at Derby.

‘It’s very hard for a team like Chelsea to lose with the individuals that they’ve got.’

Neuer hails Mendy

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has spoken about how delighted he has been with Edouard Mendy’s performances for Chelsea this season.

The Senegalese international has kept nine clean sheets in his first 12 games between the sticks for the Blues after arriving from Rennes in the summer.

With the German being at the top of his game for over a decade, he also believes Mendy is in the conversation of world-class goalkeepers at the moment.

‘There are a lot of world-class goalkeepers right now,’ Neuer told L’Equipe, which was reported in the Metro.

‘For example, Mendy, who moved from Rennes to Chelsea. He is a player that we saw in Ligue 1, who joined a big club and who was immediately successful. It’s great to see that.

‘I’m happy to see so many good goalkeepers because we are a brotherhood.’

Mendy will be looking to add another clean sheet to his name as we travel to Goodison Park to play Everton on Saturday evening.