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

Vialli feeling fine

According to the Mirror, Gianluca VIalli has revealed he has recovered from pancreatic cancer after undergoing two cycles of chemotherapy.

In an interview with Italian media outlet La Repubblica, our former player-manager spoke about his recovery and how fortunate he feels to have regained his health in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

‘I am fine,’ said the 55-year-old. ‘In December I finished 17 months of chemotherapy, one cycle of eight months and another of nine. It was difficult, even for someone as tough as me, both physically and mentally.

‘The tests showed no sign of the illness. I am happy, even if I say that under my breath to be on the safe side. Regaining my health means seeing myself in the mirror again, seeing the hair grow, not having to draw eyebrows on with a pencil. In that respect, I feel very fortunate compared to many others.

‘I think of those brought to hospital and forced to die alone, their relatives not allowed near in case of contagion, funerals that could not be celebrated. It's terrible. This crisis will leave enormous scars on the country; emotional, moral and economic scars.’

But while acknowledging the current difficulties, Vialli also shared some words of positivity about the future.

‘You fight the fear of dying by thinking of your desires, concentrating on what you really love and how much we want all those good things to return,’ he added.

‘In this enormous silence that surrounds us during the lockdown, there is almost a Zen atmosphere. We can hear the birdsong even in the megalopolis of the big city, see how quickly the smog cleared, even after some chose to mock that wonderful young girl, Greta Thunberg.

‘It will be wonderful when football and sport return, as emotions and memories will help us to get back to living our full lives.

‘I just hope we maintain this capacity for solidarity in future and expand it. Keep backing the healthcare workers, these generous people of incredible physical and mental strength. Let us not forget them, when this is all over.’

Agent suggests Blues could sign Ighalo

The agent of Odion Ighalo has told Goal.com that Chelsea could be in the market for the Nigerian striker this summer after his loan deal with Manchester United comes to an end.

The 30-year-old, who joined United from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in January, has netted four goals in eight appearances for the Red Devils, but Abdul Sule feels the Premier League side do not value him highly enough to make the move permanent.

‘I see Odion Ighalo earning a big-money move from top European teams when his loan expires at Manchester United,’ said Sule, a former Nigeria international defender.

‘I don't think Man United are keen on retaining him because they seem not to value him enough to put hand him a regular place. He also may not be wanted again when Marcus Rashford is fit.

‘I will not advise him to return to China now despite the attractive offer but would urge him to stay in Europe. I won't be surprised if Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid or Barcelona come for him.

‘He has proven that he's got a lot to offer at the highest level within his short stay at Man United and he can attract big brands and earn more money, playing in any of the top teams in England.’

Mertens could turn back on Napoli

The Daily Mail suggests Chelsea could be back in the market for Dries Mertens after the Belgian reportedly backed out of a new contract with Napoli.

Chelsea were reported to have had an offer for the 32-year-old rejected by the Serie A club during the January transfer window.

Mertens’s current contract expires this summer and while there were recent indications he was about the sign a renewal, it now appears he could be set to leave the club he joined in 2013.

‘Gazzetta dello Sport say Mertens was about to put pen to paper on a new £6.3m-a-year deal until the coronavirus pandemic stopped things,’ states the report.

‘They report there is now uncertainty about whether Mertens, who has also been linked with Inter Milan, wants to stay at Stadio San Paolo. His contract expires this summer and so Chelsea, or whoever, could sign him for nothing.

‘Mertens is aware he could get superior wages, plus a large signing-on fee, if he comes to England in what would likely be the final big move of his career.’