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

Ajax bid farewell to Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech was overcome with emotion after he was given a heart-felt send-off by Ajax who screened messages of support to the Morocco star from his team-mates and his mother ahead of his summer departure for Chelsea.

In a YouTube video released by the Dutch club titled Hakim Ziyech - Wizard of AMS, the 27-year-old was interviewed at the Tuschinski theatre in Amsterdam and shown a video montage which featured highlights from his time at the Dutch club and messages from his past and present team-mates.

‘I enjoyed sharing the pitch with you, I enjoyed your brilliance,’ said Ajax captain Daley Blind in his message.

‘I’ll keep enjoying you and following you at Chelsea. Good luck, we will meet again.’

Reacting to the messages, Ziyech said: ‘Beautiful, beautiful. These guys have been so important in my career before Ajax and with Ajax. They supported me in the hard times and always had my back.

‘These guys helped me a lot in my development as a player and a person. I learn from them every day.’

There was a final surprise for Ziyech who was left in tears when his mother appeared on screen with a message of her own.

‘I’m really happy for you that you will go to London,’ she said.

‘Do your best, take good care, and behave like a gentleman. I love you and I am proud of you. Good luck in London.’

Johnson saddened by loss of medal

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has told TalkSport of his disappointment after his FA Cup medal was stolen on the day he won it in 2008.

Johnson won the Premier League and League Cup with the Blues in 2005 and added to his collection when he helped Portsmouth lift the FA Cup three years later.

However, his happiness after Pompey’s 1-0 win over Cardiff turned to dejection when he discovered the medal was missing while he was out celebrating with his team-mates.

‘As we left the hotel, I’ve tucked the medal away in the room, I’ve hidden it away in the bottom of my suitcase, inside this bag, which was in another bag and thought it was obviously safe,’ he recalled.

‘I went out for the night and in the morning when I’m checking out of the hotel I thought I’d just make sure I still had the medal, and it had gone. Someone had nicked it! Somebody had broken into my hotel room and robbed the medal!’

Johnson was not the only player to lose his medal.

‘I thought maybe I’d moved it, but at breakfast I told the lads and Jamie Ashdown had his medal nicked as well, the same thing had happened to him,’ he added.

‘The FA made us another one, so I’ve got a medal. But the one from the game got stolen.’

Coutinho injury will not put off Chelsea: Rivaldo

Former Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo believes Chelsea are still interested in signing Philippe Coutinho despite the Brazilian suffering an ankle injury which required surgery, Goal.com reports.

Coutinho was due to return to action for Bayern Munich when the Bundesliga resumes this weekend but the 27-year-old is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

Chelsea were linked with a summer move for the Brazilian, who is on loan at Bayern from Barcelona, and Rivaldo believes the Blues are still interested in signing him despite the injury.

‘Chelsea are the favourites to sign Coutinho and I don't believe they will be put off by his recent injury,’ he said.

‘After all, next season is still very distant and he will have enough time to a completely recover.’

Added Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1999: ‘I still believe Coutinho has the quality to succeed, but sometimes football is tough and volatile.

‘The misfortune you might have at one moment can be overcome, so Coutinho must keep calm and be confident about the future because he has lots of quality to shine at any club.

‘This is a delicate moment for him and he must stay positive that things will turn for the better soon.’