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

Mancini plays down Emerson injury concerns

According to the Football Italia website, Italy coach Roberto Mancini has described the injury which forced Emerson to be taken off during the Euro 2020 qualifier against Finland as ‘nothing serious’.

The Brazil-born full-back, who has started in all of Chelsea’s first four Premier League games this season, was taken off after just eight minutes in the Azzuri’s 2-1 victory on Sunday.

He reportedly pulled up when chasing down Teemu Pukki on the counter-attack and immediately asked to be substituted.

In the post-match conference, Mancini explained the decision to bring on Alessandro Florenzi to replace Emerson was a precautionary move.

‘It was nothing serious, he stopped to ensure it didn’t get any worse,’ said the Italy boss of Emerson’s injury.

Drinkwater to discuss incident with Dyche

The Daily Telegraph reports Danny Drinkwater is to meet with Burnley manager Sean Dyche to discuss the circumstances leading to his assault in a late-night incident in Manchester.

The midfielder was sent out on loan by Chelsea to the Clarets for the season but he is expected to miss up to three weeks after suffering an injury during the row last week.

According to the report, Chelsea will allow Burnley to deal with the matter as they see fit.

‘Dyche will want a personal explanation of what happened when Drinkwater returns to the club for treatment,’ states the Telegraph.

‘Drinkwater is on loan at Burnley from Chelsea and the parent club will allow them to deal with the -incident and decide on any ¬punishment.

‘Burnley are yet to decide whether Drinkwater will be fined and will wait to find out the account of the 29-year-old.

‘Drinkwater is believed to be ¬remorseful for putting himself in a position to attract more controversy and is eager to kick-start his career once fit again.’

Ranieri linked with Guinea job

The Daily Mail reports former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has been shortlisted for the vacant position as coach of Guinea’s national team.

The 67-year-old, who was in charge of the Blues from 2000 to 2004, has been out of work since leaving Roma in May after a short spell in charge of his hometown club.

However, he is one of 17 coaches who are to be interviewed by the Guinea Football Federation as they seek a replacement for Belgian Paul Put, who was dismissed in July after Guinea were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the round of 16.

Other candidates for the job include former Croatia head coach Zlatko Kranjcar, former Belgium, Tunisia and Algeria coach Georges Leekens, and ex-Togo coach Didier Six.

Ranieri has had only one previous stint with a national team during his 33-year management career - a disappointing four-month stint with Greece in 2014 which preceded his Premier League-winning campaign with Leicester City.

Eto’o announces retirement

The BBC reports former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has called time on his 22-year playing career.

The four-time African player of the year, who played for the Blues during the 2013/14 season, announced his retirement on Instagram, stating: ‘The end, towards a new challenge.’

The 38-year-old Cameroonian played for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan before arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013 and scored 12 goals in 35 games during his only campaign with the Blues.

He went on to play for Everton, Italian side Sampdoria and Turkish clubs Antalyaspor and Konyaspor before rounding off his career earlier this year at Qatar Sports Club.