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

Crespo on Chelsea past and present

According to the Daily Mail, former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has spoken fondly of his time at the Bridge and believes our young stars will blossom under the guidance of his former team-mate Frank Lampard.

The Argentinian was a Premier League winner with the Blues in 2005/06 and has good memories of his spell at the club.

‘I was very comfortable in Italy and it was my dream to play in Serie A, but when I had the chance to join the Premier League I said, "wow" and for Chelsea, "wow",’ said Crespo.

‘I remember Luca Vialli and Ruud Gullit playing for them and I thought that Chelsea would be a great opportunity for me. When I joined Chelsea, my experience was unbelievable.

‘The way English people understand football and live football is incredible. It's not completely different from Argentina, where the atmosphere in the stadiums is also amazing.’

Having played alongside Lampard with the Blues, the 44-year-old is convinced we have the right head coach in place to take the club forward.

‘Frankie now as the manager of Chelsea – I think it's beautiful,' he admitted. ‘Chelsea now have a good mix of experienced and young players. I think they have started to build something different than before.

‘They spent a lot of money on building young players in their academy, who now have the opportunity to play. I think it's the vision of the club now – to try and have young players in the first XI.

‘As well as Frank, John Terry showed great leadership inside the changing room. Both were great leaders and it doesn't surprise me now they are both coaches.’

Desailly tips Ayew as potential signing for Blues

According to Goal.com, former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has suggested the Blues make a move to sign forward Jordan Ayew from Crystal Palace this summer.

Ayew has netted nine goals for the Eagles in the Premier League this season and Desailly feels the Ghana international can take his game to the next level with a move to Stamford Bridge.

‘It’s time for him [to step up],’ said Desailly to FootballmadeinGhana.com. ‘He’s 28-years-old now and he has reached a very high level, as well as being quite consistent in his performances.

‘We need him to have more hunger. We want him to become a killer.

‘You can see in his face that he is not really a killer, but he is showing great ability, and being at Chelsea can bring him to the level that we all know that he can get to because he is a very good player.’

Cole believes Chelsea youngsters have high value

Joe Cole feels Chelsea may have saved about £400 million as a result of developing an exciting crop of youngsters through our Academy, Goal.com reports.

The former Blues midfielder gained an insight into the workings of our Academy after working there as a coach until recently and feels the club made the right move in appointing Frank Lampard, who has taken our young stars under his wing.

‘Frank's come in, legend of the club, probably the greatest player to play for the club,’ said Cole to BT Sport. ‘The fans love him so that galvanises the fans, the ownership love him and he has a good way with the media.

‘So straight away the perception of Chelsea as a club has changed and you couple that with bringing in the great young talents, you're bringing in some of the finest players we've seen over the last few years.

‘Your Billy Gilmours, your Reece James, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham - suddenly there's been about £300m-£400m of talent, if you add up all of what they are going to be worth in a few years.’