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

Chelsea keen on Kurzawa?

According to France Football, Chelsea will compete with Arsenal to sign Layvin Kurzawa on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French left-back is out of contract at the end of this month and has been offered a new four-year deal by the Ligue 1 champions, according to the report, which goes on to state he also has concrete interest from the two London clubs.

‘If contacts are less thorough with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, they remain more relevant than ever with Arsenal and especially Chelsea, who have just renewed their interest in the Parisian defender,’ it reads.

‘The new contract offer from PSG was a surprise for the French international, whose future seemed to be taking shape far away from the capital.

‘The representatives of the former Monaco player responded by asking for a very clear salary increase (double). The two parties have given themselves until mid-July to see whether or not this new deal is feasible.’

Former Blue praises Chilwell

Ben Chilwell has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, and while on punditry duty with BT Sport Joe Cole has explained why the England left-back would be a success at Stamford Bridge were he to join the Blues.

‘Similar to Werner, he fits the ethos – he is young, he’s hungry, he’s explosive and athletic,’ said Cole.

‘I think he’s got a lot of talent, if he comes to Chelsea, working with the group there – in Brendan he’s got a great manager and a great team up at Leicester. But Chelsea’s a step up from Leicester.

‘I know they are sitting above Chelsea in the table at the moment but having the opportunity to work with Frank and improve would be immense for him.

‘He’s got the left-back position for England in his hands at the moment. My advice would be to keep performing, keep consistent and if he does do that he can be England’s left-back and if he does come to Chelsea, Chelsea’s left-back for many years. He’s a terrific player, a real talent.’

Gerrard reflects on Chelsea transfer saga

Steven Gerrard has admitted he was tempted by the idea of joining Chelsea in 2005.

The former Liverpool midfielder was speaking to Gary Neville on Sky Sports Soccer Box, and explained the actions of Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho had an influence on his thinking in the summer after Chelsea had won the league, and Liverpool the European Cup.

‘I regret the little bit of flirting back then and how that all blew up,’ Gerrard said, as reported by the Sun.

‘The fact is I didn’t know whether I was coming or going with Rafa at the time. Rafa was having conversations with me like ‘I know your agent is talking to Real Madrid and Chelsea’.

‘I got a paranoid feeling at the time that Rafa would have taken money to try and build Liverpool on. Chelsea bid £37.5 million. At the time, massive amounts of dough but what would you get for that now?

Gerrard continued: ‘Mourinho was a massive part of that. A lack of maturity on my part allowed me to think about it and flirt with that idea a bit.

‘But now I have no regrets at all because Liverpool are the club I love - and that’s the way it should be.’