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

Sinclair addresses mental health issues

Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair has told Sky Sports that modern footballers have more pressure on them than he did as a player due to the impact of social media on their mental health.

‘A big factor is the social media awareness that footballers have to have now. The fact that someone else can pick a phone up and try and dig you out basically for whatever reason that might be, is a pressure that they have to deal with,’ said Sinclair, who is an ambassador for mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group.

‘At the end of the day footballers are human beings, and they suffer with the same problems that any normal person would suffer with but it's in the eye of the public, so there's added pressure with that.

‘When you're in the public eye you can have an opinion and everybody judges your opinion, simple as that.

‘In my day we didn't have this sort of pressure. I would have found it very difficult to deal with because at times you have to remember who you're representing - as in your football club - and you have to bite your tongue with people and ignore things that can really get under your skin.’

The 48-year-old, who played for the Blues in our FA Cup victory in 1997, also spoke about his former club, indicating he was delighted with the progress achieved under Frank Lampard in securing fourth spot despite the transfer embargo and departure of Eden Hazard.

‘On top of that, he's actually blooded some younger players and academy players - I think he's had nine players have starts this season for Chelsea that have come through the academy which is incredible and unheard of,’ added Sincair.

‘So full credit to Frank, and if we can lift the FA Cup on top of that then it really is the icing on the cake.’

Gallagher waits to see what future holds

Conor Gallagher wouldn’t mind returning to Swansea City on loan next season but the midfielder says the decision on his future is still up in the air, BBC Sport reports.

‘Swansea's a great club, why not? I've enjoyed my time here,’ said Gallagher after the Welsh side’s loss to losing to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals which ended their hope of promotion to the Premier League.

‘I've had a great second half of the season which I've really enjoyed. But I don't know what will happen next season with Chelsea.’

The 20-year-old, who joined Swansea in January after spending the first half of the season at Charlton Athletic, spoke about his disappointment after the 3-2 aggregate loss to Brentford.

‘Everyone is gutted. We blew it. We worked so hard to get here and we were not good enough and it showed,’ he said.

‘It really hurts, it matters so much to the fans and obviously we've done so well to get in this position so to go out like we have is gutting.’

Blues reportedly join pursuit of Alaba

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are among a number of leading clubs who are monitoring whether David Alaba signs a new contract at Bayern Munich.

The Austrian defender has only a year left on his current contract with the German champions and with uncertainty over his future at the club, the report indicates Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have all expressed interest in signing him.

Alaba has been at Bayern since 2010 and won a host of honours including eight consecutive Bundesliga titles, five German Cups and the 2013 Champions League.

While the 28-year-old is considered as one of the best left-backs in the game, he can also be deployed in central defence as well.