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

Mikel looks to continue career

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has said he intends to continue playing football and is open to any offers following his departure from Turkish side Trabzonspor, Goal.com reports.

The former Nigeria international mutually ended his contract with the Super Lig side in March after he expressed concern about league games continuing in Turkey in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the 33-year-old is not ready to hang up his boots yet and in an interview with Egyptian media outlet OnTime Sports, he said he was willing to consider any offer to continue his career.

‘Playing in the Egyptian Premier League? Why not?’ said Mikel in response to a query about playing in Egypt.

‘I am a professional footballer and everything is possible. I never ruled anything out.

‘My goal is to continue playing football, and I hope I will have the opportunity, I do not reject any offers made to me, but rather study them well until I make the right decision.’

Following his departure from Stamford Bridge in January 2017, Mikel spent two seasons at Chinese side Tianjin Teda and half a season at Middlesbrough before he joined Trabzonspor last year.

Blues linked with Gerson move

According to 90min.com, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund are monitoring Flamengo midfielder Gerson and could bring the former Roma player back to Europe this summer.

The 23-year-old joined Roma as a teenager but he failed to establish himself at the Italian side and returned to his homeland to join Flamengo on a permanent deal 12 months ago.

However, after helping the Brazilian side win the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Serie A titles last year, there is talk he could return to Europe with Brazilian journalist Eric Garcia saying Chelsea are an interested party.

‘I'm talking about Chelsea, from England, and Borussia Dortmund, from Germany. These two clubs are negotiating with [football agent] Giuliano Bertolucci,’ said Garcia to SporTV.

‘I had the opportunity to talk to Gerson's father, Marcão Santos, who also takes care of his son's career, and he confirmed this negotiation, saying that the proposal will actually reach Flamengo officials on 18, 19 or 20 June.’

Garcia added that a fee of around €35m would likely be enough to convince Flamengo to part ways with the player, who cost Flamengo just over £10m last summer.

Melchiot suggests team can be built around Rudiger

According to Metro, former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot feels the Blues should look to build the team around centre-back Antonio Rudiger.

The Dutchman, who spent five seasons with the Blues from 1999 to 2004, sees Rudiger as a crucial player in defence for Frank Lampard’s side and feels it is important to find the right player to partner him in the backline.

‘Rudiger has experience and has played at a great international level,’ said Melchiot.

‘He has a good standing at Chelsea and I like him as a player. He’s doing really well. He is very strong and came back well from his injury when others had a chance to take his place.

‘The next step now is to build a side around him but it’s important to find a centre-back partner who is not like him. They can’t play the same way.’

‘They have to find someone who has the ability to defend but doesn’t defend like him,’ he added.

‘The two guys in the middle of the park should never be identical. Both should be strong sure but maybe a guy who is on a different scale technically whereas Rudiger is a guy who says “don’t mess around with me”.’