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

Lille coach not altering approach for Chelsea clash

Speaking at his team’s official press conference before their Champions League tie against Chelsea, Lille head coach Christophe Galtier described the Blues as a ‘well-balanced team’ but insisted it will not stop his side from playing their usual game.

Galtier is impressed by what he has seen of the Blues so far this season.

‘Chelsea are a well-balanced team who are deploying two tactical systems, according to our studies of them, with a typical Premier League intensity,’ said the 53-year-old, as reported by the competition’s official website.

‘We'll have to close all the space in front of them. It's something we've worked on since the game against Ajax: to have as small a gap as possible between midfield and defence.’

The French side began their campaign with a 3-0 loss at Ajax but Galtier is confident they can turn things around when they host the Blues.

'I'm convinced we can play, create offensive situations and my young team can step up physically and that's how I have prepared them to play,’ he added.'Let's play the way we know how, with young players who are physically ready and technically very good. We have to give it 100 per cent from the first to the 90th minute.

'We won't be impressed by our opponents (and) the championship they're involved in, this won't stop us from playing our game. We have our own experience and we should play with our own strengths and that's what we will do.'

Pundits believe Blues can finish in the top four

A number of pundits believe Chelsea can beat Arsenal and Manchester United to a top-four finish in the Premier League this season after watching the other two clubs draw 1-1 at Old Trafford on Monday.

Speaking after the game on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher felt the Blues can take encouragement from the performance of the Red Devils and the Gunners.

‘The one team looking at that tonight who will be encouraged is Chelsea,’ said the former Liverpool defender.

‘At the start of the season, I thought Chelsea might struggle to get into the top-four. It will still be a fight but even in these early stages, they have more quality than what we have seen from these two teams.’

Asked on TalkSport whether he thought United or Arsenal would finish in the top four, Tim Sherwood went for a third alternative.

‘Well out of those two I’d say Chelsea!’ said the former Tottenham Hotspur player and manager

“Frank is rebuilding as well. It’s a real shame but it’s a transition period for all three clubs, I would say, Tottenham included.

‘Come out from Man City and Liverpool and they’ve all gone the wrong way.’

Writing in his column on Sky Sports, former Arsenal player Paul Merson believes the Blues are in a stronger position than the other two club going forward.

‘Chelsea are a younger team, they have youth on their side. I am not saying it is a shoo-in they will finish in the top four this season, and if they do not, it is not the end of the world for Chelsea,’ he said.

‘But for the other teams, it could be a bit of a problem. There were two nervous football teams at Old Trafford on Monday night with a lot of pressure on them. They could not handle the pressure very well and it was a very hard game to watch.

‘In two or three years’ time, this Chelsea team will be dictating the Premier League, mark my words.’

Cole’s email issue

He may have been a genius on the pitch but according to the Daily Mail, Joe Cole isn’t so great when it comes to dealing with IT matters.

Appearing on Amazon's Back of the Net show, the former Chelsea midfielder admitted he only set up an email account two years ago and needed a big helping hand from his agent to get the job done.

'I don't think it's weird at all, but I've only had an email address for a couple of years, I was completely off the grid,' he said.

'I only wanted it because someone needed to get in touch with me… I rung my agent and said "listen, how do you do this email game?"

'He ran me through it on the computer and it took about two hours!'