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

Poyet expects Blues to challenge under Lampard

Speaking to Sky Sports, former Chelsea midfielder Gustavo Poyet has said Frank Lampard is well equipped to deal with increased expectations as he looks to build on a solid first campaign with the Blues.

With Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech joining the club and a number of other big names being linked with summer moves to Stamford Bridge, Poyet believes Chelsea are in a good position to improve on our fourth-place finish in the Premier League in 2019/20.

‘Now we are coming to a moment when it looks like Chelsea are really going to invest,’ said the Uruguayan.

‘It changes the parameters completely from last year. Last year was a transition year, “Let's see how we do”, and it was very good.

‘With the possibility of all these players coming in now, Chelsea need to aim top two. How ambitious he (Lampard) is, I think he would prefer this, I think he would prefer players coming in and going for the big possibilities.

‘I think Frank wants to win trophies and these kinds of players will give him the chance to get closer.’

Toure blasts association for not backing Drogba

Former Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has blasted the Ivory Coast Footballers’ Association (AFI) for not backing Didier Drogba’s candidacy for the presidency of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Goal.com reports.

The Chelsea legend’s campaign suffered a blow after the AFI decided not to back his bid and opted instead to endorse Idriss Diallo for the position. However, Drogba has gained support from players in the Ivorian domestic league and will contest the election on 5 September.

Toure, who succeeded Drogba as captain of the Ivory Coast national team in 2014, was scathing of the stance taken by the AFI and its leader Cyrille Domoraud.

‘That our players' association has chosen to support another candidate constitutes a major fault, a serious breach of its obligations and its mission,’ said the ex-Manchester City player to Abidjan Sport.

‘No matter how hard I tried to understand, I tried to listen to Cyrille Domoraud's arguments, I still don't understand, but the damage is done.

‘If Didier was so useless, how is it possible that Cyrille Domoraud did not realise it until after 11 years and at the very moment when Didier presents his candidacy for the presidency of the FIF and that AFI seeks, by all means, to justify its support for another candidate?

‘This masquerade is not what you expect from an association like AFI. Obviously, and many of us think so, that must change.’

Amazon promotes Spurs show to Blues fans

According to the Evening Standard, Amazon Prime Video has taken a bold approach to promoting a new series on Tottenham Hotspur’s 2019/20 campaign by placing a large billboard advertisement a short distance away from Stamford Bridge.

The billboard on Putney High Street promoting All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur features a large image of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho alongside the line: ‘Ever wondered what your ex is up to?’

Billed as an eight-part series which provides a ‘behind-the-scenes look at an eventful 2019/20 season for Spurs’, the show could actually appeal to Blues fans given how the season went for our London rivals.

During the course of the campaign, they dismissed manager Mauricio Pochettino and replaced him with Mourinho, lost twice in the Premier League to Chelsea and finished sixth to miss out on Champions League qualification.