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

Mount reportedly discussing new contract

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea have opened talks on a new contract with Mason Mount as the Blues look to secure the long-term future of another of our bright young Academy products.

With Frank Lampard arriving from Derby County to become the club’s new head coach, Chelsea have reportedly made positive steps in convincing the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi to commit to new deals to remain at Stamford Bridge.

And after his impressive loan spell under Lampard at Derby last season, Mount, who joined Chelsea at the age of six, now appears to be in line for a new contract as well.

‘The midfielder is currently away on holiday having played for England at the European Under-21s Championships last month, but the club made their intentions clear before he went away,’ states the Standard in their report.

‘Negotiations are expected to step up when he returns for pre-season training later in July and, with Lampard at the helm, Mount is keen to stay on.

‘He currently has two years remaining on his current contract, but Chelsea will want to tie him down until 2024.’

Hudson-Odoi gets positive fitness update

The Daily Mail is reporting Callum Hudson-Odoi could be ready to return to full training early next month after the winger received a positive update on his Achilles injury.

The 18-year-old has been sidelined since he suffered the injury during our Premier League match against Burnley in late April. However, he appears to have recovered well after undergoing surgery in Barcelona under specialist Ramon Cugat, who has now reportedly cleared him to take the next step in his rehabilitation.

‘Hudson-Odoi has made an impressive recovery since his operation, his injured Achilles is now fully healed and Cugat declared the England starlet ready to increase his workload,’ stated the report.

‘Hudson-Odoi is now back running outside and so far ahead of schedule that he is only weeks away from being able to join in full sessions with the rest of his teammates.

‘Chelsea’s players started returning for pre-season on Wednesday ahead of their training camp in Ireland and then pre-season tour of Japan.

‘Hudson-Odoi is likely to stay behind and continue working on his fitness but his rapid progress will be a major boost for new head coach Frank Lampard.’

Higuain set to leave Juventus

Having returned to Juventus after his loan spell at Chelsea, Goal.com is reporting Gonzalo Higuan looks set to leave again after being deemed surplus to requirements by the Serie A champions.

With the Blues opting not to extend the Argentinian striker’s stay in west London after the end of last season, it was expected he would be reunited with his former Napoli and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, who has taken charge of the Bianconeri.

However, Juve have apparently told Higuain that he can leave the club this summer.

‘With Cristiano Ronaldo set to be Juve's starting striker in 2019-20 and a move for Inter star Mauro Icardi very much on the table, Higuain has been told that he is surplus to requirements,’ states the report.

‘The Juventus hierarchy are keen to get his €7.5m-per-year wages off the club's books after a flurry of new signings and the potential additional cost of signing Icardi.

‘Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot have both arrived on free transfers while a deal to sign Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is close to being agreed.’

The report also suggests Roma have shown interest in signing the 31-year-old and Juventus have given their Serie A rivals permission to speak to him.

Batshuayi gears up for new season

Michy Batshuayi has signalled his determination to make an impact this season after sharing a video of himself doing an intense personal workout on Instagram.

The Chelsea forward could be seen lifting weights and doing various exercises with a personal trainer on the video as he prepares for the start of pre-season.

‘Can't wait to go back at it,’ added the 25-year-old Belgian in his post.

Batshuayi has spent the past season and a half on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace but he is expected to report back to Cobham for pre-season training with the Blues who will be under new management after the departure of Maurizio Sarri and appointment of Frank Lampard.