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

Chelsea still interested in Kounde

According to ESPN, Chelsea haven’t given up hope on signing defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

There were widespread rumours over the summer linking the French international with a move to Stamford Bridge, but no deal materialised before the transfer window closed at the start of September.

However, it is reported that the Blues haven’t given up on adding Kounde to our squad this season and are preparing to return with another bid when the window reopens in January.

It is claimed there is still plenty of negotiating to do between the two clubs if a deal to bring the 22-year-old to west London is to be completed, though.

Sevilla were reportedly holding out to receive Kounde’s full release clause of £68 million in the summer, while Chelsea were unwilling to pay so much up front, meaning any agreement depends on the Spanish side accepting a lower offer with an initial fee in the region of £40 million.

It is further claimed that the player himself has already agreed a potential contract with the Blues for at least four years.

Club World Cup to change venue

This year’s FIFA Club World Cup is set to move to a new home after Japan announced that they are withdrawing as hosts.

As reported by Sky Sports, the Japanese FA declared that they would be unable to hold the tournament there in December after the country’s government extended their emergency Covid-19 restrictions in the capital Tokyo and several other regions until at least the end of this month.

‘FIFA can confirm that it has been informed today by the Japan Football Association that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hosting situation in the country, they are no longer in a position to host the FIFA Club World Cup 2021,’ FIFA were quoted as stating.

‘Further details about an alternative host for the FIFA Club World Cup 2021 will be announced by FIFA in due course.’

As Champions League winners, Chelsea will compete in the competition this year for just the second time in our history, after reaching the final in 2012. The other teams qualified so far are Egyptian side Al Ahly and Auckland City of New Zealand.

Koeman impressed by Tuchel’s Blues

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has echoed fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal in praising Thomas Tuchel’s use of a back three with Chelsea.

Van Gaal, now in charge of the Netherlands national team, cited the Blues as an example of why using that formation doesn’t have to mean playing defensive football when discussing his tactics in a press conference during the international break.

Koeman has now joined in the praise for the system Tuchel has introduced since coming to Stamford Bridge in January, suggesting there is no team in the world better at playing with a back three than Chelsea right now, as he attempts to emulate our style in Barcelona.

‘The best Barca last year was in 3-5-2,’ said Koeman, in comments which were reported by Football 365. ‘We managed to maximise Busquets, we had few attackers available.

‘Chelsea are the benchmark, they play in 3-5-2 and are not defensive. We must also see it in relation to the workforce available.’