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

Neville envious of Chelsea signings

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has expressed his exasperation at seeing the Red Devils miss out on a number of potential transfer targets who have opted to join Chelsea this summer.

Speaking to The Guardian, the Sky Sports pundit lamented the difficulties United face in closing the gap on Liverpool and Manchester United in the upcoming season.

He said much of that comes down to their lack of transfer business in contrast to the Blues, who have been reinforced by the additions of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz.

‘A trophy and breaking that top two has to be the next step [for United] but that’s going to be difficult. Ole needs more players and support from the board to do that,’ said the former Red Devils captain.

‘When you look at the bench, the game changers aren’t there, the depth is not there. They definitely need a centre-back, a midfield player, a forward and a right winger, and potentially another defender, maybe a left-back too.

‘I am disappointed because I wanted the players that Chelsea signed to go to United.’

Rennes and Napoli battle for Boga

Goal.com reports French side Rennes and Serie A outfit Napoli are leading the race to sign former Chelsea midfielder Jeremie Boga from Sassuolo.

According to the report, Sassuolo are holding out for €40 million for the Ivory Coast international with their Italian rivals Napoli coming closest so far to meeting their demands.

‘Goal has learned that Napoli have made an offer of €30m already with further add-ons being put forward, while Rennes have only been able to put a €20m offer in,’ states the report

‘Bayer Leverkusen are closely tracking the situation but are cautious about having to pay the sums that are being demanded by the Serie A side.

‘Roma, Sevilla and Brighton have all shown an interest in the past but don't appear to be willing to compete for Boga's signature before the window closes on 5 October.

‘The interest in Boga has grown since his emergence as one of the best players in Serie A outside of the biggest group of clubs, after he scored 11 goals in 35 appearances last season in all competitions.’

Ex-Chelsea Women’s player joins men’s team

Yuki Nagasato, who spent two seasons playing for Chelsea Women, has created a buzz after it was announced she has been loaned to a men’s club in Japan, ESPN.com reports.

Nagasato, who played for the Blues under her married name Yuki Ogimi from 2013 to 2014, is currently under contract with National Women’s Soccer League side Chicago Red Stars, who have agreed to send her on loan to amateur men’s side Hayabusa Eleven.

It is suggested in the report that the move is to help the 33-year-old maintain her fitness in preparation for the 2021 NWSL season.

‘Hayabusa currently plays in the second division of the Kanagawa league, one of around 50 regional prefecture leagues that operate seven and eight rungs below the J-League at the top of the domestic men's professional soccer ladder,’ states the report.

‘Initially scheduled to begin this spring, games in the second division of the Kanagawa league were postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. An abbreviated schedule begins this weekend, with 28 teams divided into four groups.

‘The contractual details of Nagasato's loan are unclear. A Red Stars release described Hayabasu as an amateur team, but also said Nagasato would be playing for them in a professional capacity.’

‘According to the Red Stars, Nagasato will return for the start of the NWSL preseason in 2021.’